The Queensland Fire Department (QFD) has signed a deal with Volvo and Fraser Engineering for a five-year rollout of 80 new fire trucks with the first of those due to go into service this time next year.
The $80 million package was announced at Volvo’s Wacol HQ in Brisbane yesterday.
The Type 2 fire trucks will be built on Volvo’s latest model FL 4×4 Crew Cab chassis and carry Fraser Engineering’s fire and rescue bodies, and are said to give the QFD one of Australia’s most advanced and high performing fleets.
The Queensland Government said the trucks replace an “ageing fleet” consisting of several different manufacturers and build types that is no longer fit for purpose for the state’s bushfire season.
The new builds will be four-wheel drive trucks equipped with pump capacity to respond to building fires, in addition to road crash rescue capability across regional and metropolitan Queensland.
The vehicles will also meet the latest Euro 6 emission standards for diesel engines.
“Volvo Group Australia and Fraser Engineering Group are incredibly proud to lead the way in fire appliance design,” said Cameron Bettany, Vice President of Group Governmental Sales at Volvo Group Australia.
“We understand the critical needs of firefighters and are dedicated to providing Queensland’s frontline responders with top-tier vehicles that ensure community safety. This partnership sets a new industry standard for fire vehicles and delivers greater preparedness for Queensland communities.”
Premier David Crisafulli said delivering the equipment firefighters needed for the frontline was critical to ensure Queensland was disaster-ready.
“We’re providing our frontline emergency responders with the world class equipment they need to help protect our state,” Crisafulli said.
“These state-of-the-art trucks will help extinguish building fires, rescue Queenslanders from road crashes and fight bushfires.
“Our firies risk their lives every single day for Queenslanders and we’re delivering the best of the best trucks and tools to protect them and our state.”
QFD Commissioner Steve Smith said bringing consistency to the Type 2 fleet would have flow-on benefits for firefighters across the state.
“This is the largest single fleet procurement arrangement embarked on by Queensland FireDepartment,” Smith said.
“Type 2 appliances make up about half of the total Queensland Fire and Rescue fleet and they are widely used in metropolitan and regional areas.
“Having a single manufacturer is a boost with after-sales warranty and servicing in Queensland, but it also brings consistency for firefighters operating the trucks, making driver training easier.
For QFD maintenance teams, Smith said it also means carrying fewer spare parts on the shelf, and a comprehensive dealer network to support fleet capability into the future.