Tasmanian firefighters will head into this summer’s bushfire season with new “rapid-attack” units built to their own design, giving a welcome boost to the state’s frontline firefighting force.
34 of the “slip-on units”, developed in-house by Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) firefighters, have been rolled out across the state from Huonville to Flinders Island ahead of the peak fire danger period.
Each unit combines a 450-litre water tank, high-pressure twin-impeller pump and electric hose reel in a compact setup that can turn a standard 4WD into a mobile firefighting rig.
All components can be reached from ground level, removing the need for crews to climb onto ute trays during fast-moving operations.
“Slip-on tanks have proven to be one of the most efficient and economical tools available to PWS firefighters in previous fire seasons,” PWS said.
“And with enhanced user and safety features, these new units give our firefighters the best chance at protecting our natural, physical and cultural assets as well as significantly contributing to the statewide fuel reduction program.”
The electric hose reel is a major safety upgrade, cutting physical strain and speeding up response times in critical first-attack situations.
Improved LED lighting extends operations into the night and a cabin spray system provides extra burnover protection.
The quick-swap design means the units can be fitted or removed with a forklift, so vehicles can switch back to other duties outside the fire season.
The rollout replaces ageing fibreglass and 15-year-old aluminium tanks with simpler plumbing layouts and secure storage.
“These units are a huge boost to our firefighting capabilities and help us protect Tasmania’s natural and cultural assets,” PWS said.
