The Gerringong Rural Fire Brigade has taken delivery of one of six ultra-large Tatra firefighting trucks being trialled across NSW. This high-performance vehicle is the first of its kind in the state and is part of the Rural Fire Service’s Next Generation Fleet Project, which aims to test and develop modern firefighting appliances.
The new truck, worth $800,000, was delivered to Gerringong as part of the NSW Government’s commitment to ensuring that local volunteers have the necessary tools to keep their communities safe, especially in a region that has seen the devastating impacts of bushfires.
The Tatra truck combines performance, water capacity, and pumping power, with advanced safety features such as the halo water protection system for the cabin. The truck also includes Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs), which improve communication, connectivity, and safety for crews in remote and disaster-impacted areas.
Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib, said that the delivery of the Tatra truck is essential for providing RFS crews with the best equipment to protect the community. He added that communities like those in the Illawarra, which have experienced bushfire devastation, can feel reassured knowing their local crews are equipped with the strongest truck capabilities the RFS has ever had. “We listened to the experts and have acted on every recommendation from the NSW Bushfire Inquiry. Some long-term initiatives will take time to complete but are already well underway,” Minister Dib said.
Member for Kiama, Katelin McInerney, also welcomed the new truck, recognising how it will improve efficiency and safety in managing the region’s firefighting efforts. “Communities like those in the Illawarra, who have seen the devastating impacts of bushfire firsthand, can be assured that their local crews are backed by the strongest truck capabilities we’ve ever had in the RFS,” Ms McInerney said.
RFS Illawarra/Sutherland District Manager, Superintendent Martin Surrey, noted that the Gerringong Brigade had already begun using the new truck, with one of its front-mounted water cannons being deployed during a recent callout. “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,” Superintendent Surrey said. “Every new piece of equipment, every training opportunity and every innovation is an investment in the safety of our volunteers and the towns and communities they protect.”
The Tatra truck trial is part of a broader initiative to modernise the RFS fleet following the NSW Bushfire Inquiry, which recommended improvements to bushfire policy, preparedness, and response. The addition of these Tatra trucks will play a key role in improving firefighting efforts across the state.