Gerringong Rural Fire Service has welcomed the first of six ultra-large Tatra firefighting trucks being rolled out across NSW.

As part of the RFS Next Generation Fleet Project, the 4x4 Tatra vehicles are a part of a trial which aims to test and develop the next generation of modern firefighting in rural areas.

“The delivery of this new Tatra truck is about making sure our hard-working RFS crews have the tools they need to protect the community,” Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said.

Kiama MP Katelin McInerney said the strong support of volunteers in the RFS across the region has made the difference during the previous fire seasons.

“RFS members are the heart of our regional communities, and it’s vital they have the latest and safest equipment to do their job and it’s fantastic to see Gerringong leading the way in this trial,” McInerney said.

RFS Illawarra/Sutherland District Manager Superintendent Martin Surrey said investments like the Tatra firefighting truck provides protection for not only the safety of RFS volunteers, but also for the towns and communities.

“The Gerringong Brigade have been quick to put their new truck to work and it has already been on a few callouts, including one where the front-mounted water cannon was used to great effect,” he said.

Averaging around 140 call-outs a year, the new truck provides not only more power to negate the undulating landscape of the South Coast, but a quicker response time.

Gerringong RFS Captain Adam Walmsley recently told The Bugle that the power is not the most impressive attribute of the firefighting truck - it comes with all the updated bells and whistles which makes for a quicker response time.

“It’s got adjustable ride height, inbuilt light mast, breathing apparatus on the back of the seats and the pump is a significant upgrade from what we’ve previously had,” Captain Walmsley said.  

“It also means we can be getting ready on the way out to a callout and have BA [breathing apparatus] gear on and get out of the truck ready.

“It’s saving two minutes on a call out - it does make a difference.”

Tatra trucks are imported from the Czech Republic and are primarily used in Western Australia for mining purposes after first entering the Australian market in the late 90’s through Larry Gill and his company Offroad Trucks Australia.

The Premier’s Department handed down the NSW Bushfire Inquiry 2020 final progress report in November which focussed on: protecting frontline firefighters, strengthening research, technology, governance, and accountability, increasing community resilience, improving operational capability, and hazard reduction.

The inquiry has provided the NSW government with the necessary recommendations to modernise the RFS fleet, equip trucks with Mobile Data Terminals to improve crews’ communication, connectivity and safety in remote and disaster-impacted areas.

Since the inquiry, the NSW government has acted on all 76 recommendations which has seen action on bushfire policy, preparedness and response, and the inclusion of implementing night-time waterbombing.

Gerringong RFS will hold its annual Santa Run on Sunday from 2pm with Santa and the fire crew travelling around, starting at Stafford Street Headland in Gerroa at 2pm and finishing at Michael Cronin Oval in Gerringong at 5:15pm.