Storm season ready with new ride
EMERGENCY services crews in the Rose City are now fully equipped to deal with the approaching storm season, thanks to money raised by the region's fire levy.
The Rural Fire Service has a new Warwick 91 command vehicle, fully upgraded with the latest technology to equip it for storm and flooding events as well as fires.
Rural Fire Service Warwick Group deputy officer Malcolm Stacey showed off the new vehicle, which has been on the road for six weeks, to the Daily News yesterday.
"The new 91 hasn't been to an incident yet," Mr Stacey said.
"We've started training with the vehicle alongside rural fire group executive and auxiliary and permanent staff in Warwick."
Complete with LED lighting, printing and wi-fi facilities, and a water-proof annex, the new Warwick 91 is the ideal mobile command centre.
Mr Stacey said the vehicle would be used to assist with communication and command structure set up.
"In the event of an incident this vehicle would be used to assist personnel with communication and command," he said.
"It'll be better, quicker, safer and easier."
Unlike its predecessor, the new Warwick 91 is water and dust-proof to handle storm and flood conditions.
"We had the old 91 for eight years and all we could use if for was grass fires," Mr Stacey said.
"Since then we've been involved with storms and floods - weather-only events."
The old Warwick 91 vehicle was used in a number of severe weather events last year, including the devastating storm in Pratten and Cullendore Rd fire in New South Wales.
Unlike the old command vehicle, the new 91 is set up with New South Wales and Queensland fire radios as well as the ability to send and receive emails and print maps and information such as weather reports.
"There are only four fire trucks in one corner of northern New South Wales - we have 23 in Warwick so we're bound assist over the border," Mr Stacey said.
"When the vehicle turns up we'll be in it assisting whoever is in charge - this is where we will work from."
Additional features of the new 91 include 240 volt capacity, 28-inch monitor, extendable map tables, fold out whiteboards, a defibrillator, fire aid kit and portable lighting.
The new 91 will be used for all types of emergencies and incidents in rural Queensland and New South Wales.