The South Australian State Emergency Service (SASES) is to take possession of five state-of-the-art emergency response trucks valued at a million dollars and being delivered around the State.
The SASES announced that each vehicle is to be fully equipped with the latest emergency response tools and technology, including an Automatic Vehicle Locator (AVL) and digital tablet.
It said the new vehicles would provide an upgraded General Rescue capability to the Tea Tree Gully and Sturt Units, while Roxy Downs, Maitland and Loxton will receive a combined General Rescue/Road Crash Rescue capability upgrade.
Chief Officer of the SASES, Chris Beattie said the new vehicles were part of a scheduled upgrade to ensure communities across the State were capably supported by their local volunteer Units.
“Fully equipped vehicles are not just vital for providing an appropriate response to communities but also contributing to the ongoing safety and well-being of our volunteer responders in emergency and disaster situations,” Mr Beattie said.
“The vehicles are expensive, long-term assets which we manage appropriately,” he said
“A specific licence is required to drive the emergency response vehicles, which is taken on by our volunteers as part of their ongoing training.”
Mr Beattie said the vehicles could also tow response trailers and were often required to transport supplies, equipment and essential materials from one Unit location to another.
He said the vehicles had been purchased as cab chassis from Adelaide-based supplier North East Isuzu before being sent to local South Australian fabrication business Agribits, for body builds and fit-out to SASES specifications.
Emergency Services Minister Joe Szakacs said the new trucks would provide a safer environment for volunteers to carry out their tasks.
“This significant investment has been made with a safe future of our emergency services in mind,” Mr Szakacs said.
“Not only do the new vehicles possess modern technology and features, but they are also fitted with AVL, which were recently delivered as part of a $12 million State Government commitment,” he said.
“AVL and the new trucks will allow these Units to map, plan and execute how to best respond to road crash rescues and natural disasters like floods and severe weather,” Mr Szakacs said.
