By Jaidyn Kennedy
The Little River Fire Brigade have received a new “more agile” ultralight tanker to its fleet, which is expected to improve response capacity.
Using a Toyota Landcruiser four-wheel drive as the body, the vehicle seats two people and is an alternative to using a much larger fire truck.
Brigade captain Greg Archer said that the smaller vehicle was more suited to fitting into narrow locations and residential properties.
“It’s more agile for protecting properties, but you still have to be a little bit cautious about the size of the fires that you tackle.”
Part of the tanker’s design includes increased safety features, particularly when dealing with entrapment scenarios in which firefighters have to stay in the vehicle when surrounded by a fire.
“We can stay in the cab until a fire is over, so you are able to withstand being overrun,” Mr Archer said.
“I mean it’s one of those scenarios where you’ve got a little bit more to fall back on, which definitely comes in handy.”
Another notable feature of the tanker is, being classed a smaller vehicle, operators are not required to possess a heavy vehicle licence and can drive it with a standard driver’s licence.
Mr Archer said this a good way for new brigade members to start small, start responding to fires earlier and eventually advance to acquiring a heavy vehicle licence.
“It can be that they start on the Landcruiser and eventually advance to bigger vehicles as their competency grows,” he said.
“It provides an easier starting point for new firefighters coming through.”
More than $148,000 was provided for the new vehicle, with $125,000 provided by the Victorian Emergency Services Equipment Program (VESEP), $12,000 contributed by Bendigo Bank Lara and an additional $11,350 raised by Little River Fire Brigade.
The Little River Fire Brigade are also on the search for volunteers who can respond Monday-Friday during working hours, with locals preferred.
