Purpose built truck a game changer

FIREFIGHTING capability in the South East has received a major boost with Mount Gambier MFS receiving a new, purpose-built Urban Rural Pumper (URP) fire truck.

Designed to tackle South Australia’s diverse and challenging terrain, the URP brings next-generation firefighting technology to support crews across the South East.

The new truck incorporates modern firefighter safety systems, upgraded technology, and greater water capacity, ensuring crews can operate more effectively in high-risk and remote conditions.

Built on an Isuzu FTS chassis with full 4×4 functionality, the URP is ideally suited for both urban and rural operations.

It delivers improved reliability, power, and off-road performance, significantly enhancing the MFS’s capacity to respond to bushfires, wildfires, and structural fires.

MFS Chief Officer Jeff Swann said This modern fire truck gives our full-time and retained firefighters in Mount Gambier the ability to respond with confidence to any emergency, whether it’s a house fire, road crash, or bushfire.

“The delivery of the URP highlights our ongoing investment in regional South Australia and our absolute commitment to giving our firefighters the very best tools to protect their communities,” he said.

South Australian Emergency Services Minister Rhiannon Pearce said it was important our firefighters have the best possible equipment to protect our communities and themselves in the event of a bushfire or other emergency.

“This new truck, along with other recent investments in MFS infrastructure, will boost capability in the region, which is at significant risk over the warmer months, particularly at times of low rainfall,” Minister Pearce said. “The new technology and improved storage capacity will help the MFS fight fires more effectively, particularly in remote locations.”

Key features include:

• 2400-litre water tank capacity and a 160L litre foam tank capacity

• integrated rescue tools and equipment

• new battery-operated combi tools for road crash rescue responses

• redesigned cabin and burn-over protection system for crew safety

This delivery forms part of the MFS’s ongoing fleet rejuvenation program, which aims to modernise the service’s appliances and ensure MFS firefighters across South Australia have access to the best possible equipment.

Over the past year, Mount Gambier MFS has seen significant investment, including a newly refurbished Heavy Urban Pump (HUP), a refurbished Combination Aerial Pumping Appliance (CAPA), and now the addition of the URP, reinforcing the MFS’s ongoing commitment to regional capability and safety.