The South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS) has completed its most significant vehicle upgrades in 40 years with new safety systems installed into more than 390 trucks following the completion of the Fire Truck Safety Systems (FTSS) project.
The CFS said the FTSS project enabled it to address safety provisions on the current fleet by retrofitting burn-over protection features to enhance firefighter safety and minimise the risk of exposure to death or injury from burns.
It said the key features installed in the trucks included in-cabin breathing systems, radiant heat shield window curtains, deluge systems for cabin glass protection and tyre spray protection systems as well as tankers, pumpers and bulk water carriers.
Chief Officer of CFS, Brett Loughlin said standardising features across all response vehicles would position the Service as a national leader in safety features for firefighter crews on operational fleets.
“It can be said that this is the single most significant upgrade that has been undertaken on operational fleet since the Ash Wednesday fires in 1983,” Chief Officer Loughlin said.
“The safety and wellbeing of CFS volunteers will always be of the utmost importance therefore it’s important we as an agency do everything in our power to provide adequate protection and safety procedures for our volunteers,” he said.
Minister for Emergency Services Joe Szakacs said the safety and protection of firefighters were of utmost importance and the changes meant South Australia had some of the best safety features in the nation.
“Pushing South Australia to become a national leader in safety features is a major achievement and the scale of this safety upgrade to South Australia’s CFS fleet should be celebrated by all,” Mr Szakacs said.
“It is also reassuring to know the CFS also has dedicated Regional Fleet Officers to support the maintenance of the vehicles into the future actively,” he said.
