St Andrews Fire Station has a new aerial pumper fitted with an intelligence gathering thermal imaging camera.
The camera detects heat signals and transmits images from the scene of an emergency to critical locations like the Fire and Rescue NSW command centre.
The state of the art appliance is also equipped with a compressed air foam system and 2,000 litre water tank.
Its ladder can extend 10 metres further than the old appliance, with a vertical reach of 24.5 metres and load bearing capacity of 330 kilograms.
The NSW minister for emergency services and resilience Steph Cooke, along with Fire and Rescue acting commissioner Megan Stiffler to hand over the keys to the $2.5 million specialist compressed aerial pumper.
“It’s important that our firefighters can keep up with the rapidly growing South Western Sydney skyline,” Ms Cooke said.
“Stationing this truck at St Andrews increases the capability of our firefighters during large scale fires such as those in shopping centres, industrial complexes and multi storey residential buildings.
“It will also be used to undertake rescues and other non fire operations including evacuations.”
The aerial pumper is one of 11 being rolled out across NSW.
Acting Commissioner Stiffler said the aerial fleet is being delivered to FRNSW as a result of a $37 million Budget commitment which ensures firefighters have the best tools to do their work and protect the irreplaceable.
“We are always on the lookout for new equipment and technologies to help our crews adapt to the changing needs of the communities they serve,” Ms Stiffler said.
“The addition of the compressed aerial pumpers to the fleet allows firefighters to quickly reach the scenes of multi storey blazes and extinguish them more efficiently and effectively.”
FRNSW now boasts 25 aerial appliances in operation across the state.
