Sarah Oliver
The CFA will be rolling out fifty new tankers across Victoria, including in Ballan, as part of the state government’s $126 million CFA Capability Funding package.
The fleet of new dual-cab vehicles includes 48 Heavy Tankers and two Light Tankers, which replace single-cab tankers and allow a full crew to sit within the vehicle cabin. The full roll-out will be completed in 2023.
The first 20 stations to receive tankers by mid-2022 are Ballan, Caroline Springs, Creswick, Gisborne Inglewood, Shoreham, Dunkeld, Buninyong, Mansfield, Poowong, Penshurst, Wangaratta, Hastings, Noorat, Seymour, Junortoun, Moorooduc, Beaufort, Wallan and Irymple.
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said tankers are a vital part of CFA’s fleet, with more than 1800 across the state.
“These new tankers are state-of-the-art firefighting vehicles,” said CO Heffernan.
“The Heavy Tankers feature a 15-tonne crew-cab chassis with a 4,000-litre water tank, while their 4×4 capability and automatic transmission will help crews access fires in difficult terrain.
“They also include features such as electronic monitors and electric rewind hose reels, as well as using a higher percentage of recyclable build materials.”
Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes said the new tankers will ensure volunteer firefighters have the latest equipment, and best protection to do their vital work.
“Victoria is one of the most fire prone areas in the world and these new tankers will help support communities and firefighters stay safe across the state for many years to come.”
The tankers also have a 1200 litre per minute diesel engine-driven fire-fighting pump, crew/vehicle roll over and burn-over protection, and full equipment stowage cache.
Manufacturing on the 48 Heavy Tankers began in September 2021 at Sunshine North manufacturer R.A Bell & Co., with the final vehicles expected to be complete in September 2023.
Construction on the two Light Tankers will commence at a later date.
