A second hand milk tanker has gained a new lease of life as a rural fire authority appliance thanks to local volunteer firefighters.
The 13,000 litre-capacity water tanker has joined the Selwyn rural fire brigade fleet of 19 vehicles, which includes nine other water tankers across the district.
Getting the purpose-built tanker up and running was a brigade-led project. The design and construction involved a local volunteer firefighters including Steve Trigg, Quentin Inkersell, John Trounson and Mike Allen.
The truck is designed for rural fire fighting and includes two purpose built water tanks, added space for equipment storage and high volume pumping units on the back of the truck which allows fire fighters to run hoses over large distances.
Rolleston volunteer fire brigade, deputy chief fire officer Steve Trigg led the tanker project.
“This is the first time the community has been involved with a tanker project,” he says. “It wouldn’t have been possible without the support of a number of local businesses.”
Taylor Coal, Westland Milk and SRS Sawmills contributed $10,000 each and the Selwyn District Council contributed $120,000.
“The team was also supported by Barclay Engineering, Hollands Collision Repairs, Independent Signs and Selwyn Auto who made the project work,” says Trigg.
The Selwyn rural fire authority is part of Selwyn district council and is responsible for fire suppression outside of urban areas in Selwyn.
It covers more than 376,000 hectares and excludes areas managed by the department of conservation and the ministry of defence. The New Zealand Fire Service responds to fire callouts in townships but both services work together to share resources and personnel to fight fires outside townships.
In the 2012/2013 year, 5,313 hectares of vegetation was burnt as a result of fires throughout New Zealand. There were 129 vegetation call outs within the Selwyn area during this time.
A firefighter for 24 years, Trigg says summer is the busiest season for attending fire callouts in Selwyn, so the new tanker will help deliver large quantities of water to fight fires.
The new water tanker will be based at the Rolleston Fire Station.
