ACT RFS takes delivery of new tankers

The ACT Rural Fire Service has boosted its fire fighting resources after taking delivery of three new compressed air foam system (CAFS) tankers.

The tankers built by SPEL in New Zealand are based on 4WD Isuzu trucks and their 2200L water capacity is effectively increased to 8000L by the CAFS.  The trucks incorporate the latest developments in vehicle protection for crew protection.

CAFS uses an air compressor to inject air into the water/foam mix at the delivery valve rather than using atmospheric pressure at the hose nozzle to aerate the mixture. This allows more efficient use of the available water and reduces operator fatigue as the hoses are very light to hold and move around.

Trainers from RFS and Land Management Agencies have spent four days learning the system and experimenting with different methods of operating the vehicles in grasslands, native and pine forest situations.

"This is a new way of working for us and we are looking forward to the challenge of integrating these new CAFS vehicles into our existing fleet," ACT RFS Deputy Chief Officer John Fisher said.

A working group has been established and will provide advice to RFS on the use and deployment of the new tankers, which are expected to be placed within the Rural Brigades before the end of this year.