Better protection from burnover

As part of the Crew Protection Retrofit Program, 844 vehicles made prior to 2006 will receive enhanced crew protection systems with features including radiant heat protective curtains, water-spraying systems, heat-shielding panels and upgraded intercom communication systems.

CFA Deputy Chief Officer John Haynes said the $23 million project (which covers development, testing, installation and ongoing maintenance) is being rolled out statewide, with appliance upgrades taking place at CFA’s 13 District Mechanical Workshops.

“Upgrading protection systems in these trucks will significantly reduce the risk of injury or death to firefighters if trapped in a burnover situation - it will make it safer to shelter in the trucks,” he said.

“Around 170 of the 844 vehicles have already been completed at a total average cost of approximately $27,000 per vehicle.”

Mr Haynes added that all vehicles produced after 2006 were already fitted with crew protection system.

“A number of trucks with these protective features already installed were involved in burnover situations during the Black Saturday bushfires and it was found that the systems played a significant part in protecting crews from injury or death,” he said.

“All of these systems have been tested at the CSIRO and while we hope crews never have to use them, it is just another measure we can take to ensure the safety of our people at the frontline.”

The Victorian Government-funded Retrofit Program is also generating employment with CFA hiring an additional 25 District Mechanical Officers (DMOs) to undertake the two-year project.

“DMOs are fully-qualified mechanics and are responsible for the maintenance and repair of CFA’s 2,500-plus appliances,” Mr Haynes said.

“Approximately 800 of the CFA’s 1,222 brigades will receive upgrades to their appliances, with larger trucks taking priority for the fire season.

“The program will continue through until the end of June 2013, with DMOs allowing approximately six to seven days for upgrade per appliance.”

Mr Haynes said brigades will also be issued with a training package with details on when and how to use the systems.

Today (Friday, 6 January), Acting Premier and Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Peter Ryan, officially handed over the keys to a newly retrofitted tanker to Macedon Fire Brigade Captain Greg Snart.

See the photos below.