Gayndah's new vehicle to save a truckload of water

The North Burnett is boasting the latest in firefighting technology after Gayndah Fire and Rescue Service received a new firetruck worth $537,721.

UPGRADE: North Burnett Area Commander Kent Freeman handing the keys of a new fire truck over to Gayndah Fire and Rescue Service Captain Ron Mitchell. Picture: Felicity Ripper

THE North Burnett is boasting the latest in firefighting technology after Gayndah Fire and Rescue Service received a new firetruck worth $537,721.

North Burnett Area Commander Kent Freeman officially handed over the keys for the 15 tonne Isuzu to Gayndah Fire and Rescue Service Captain Ron Mitchell on Tuesday.

The truck is fitted with a compressed air foam system (CAFS), a high energy system used for fast knock down, which increases safety for the firefighter.

CAFS expels a foam that can be propelled further than water, sticking to surfaces to suppress oxygen, fuel and heat.

"It's using an additive to water that creates bubbles and wraps around the objects that are on fire, reducing the amount of smoke coming off," Mr Freeman said.

"It's a lot more efficient and means we can use a lot less water."

The water-saving element of using CAFS is a great benefit in the North Burnett.

"In a rural area, there is not always a lot of water available and if we're travelling out to a remote location, say a farmhouse, they might not have readily available water for us to use," Mr Mitchell said.

"We've never had anything like this out here before and it's great for us to be able to use this foam system where we will no longer have to source as much water."

The new truck has more room to carry new Core RCR gear which is lighter and more powerful than the older generation tools.

Mr Mitchell said receiving a new truck made firefighters' jobs easier.

"Because of the new technology, especially on the road crash rescue side of things, the equipment is a lot more user friendly and it's a lot easier for us to work efficiently."

The new firetruck has been in Gayndah for around a month and already aided firefighters in attending to car crashes and vegetation fires.

Gayndah Fire and Rescue Service last received a new truck in 2012 and it was worth around $250,000.

The 2012 423 Alpha was cascaded to Biggenden's fire station.

Mr Freeman said fire trucks usually had a life of around 10 years, but the conditions the vehicles are exposed to mean they are worn down sooner than other vehicles might be.

"Out here we do relatively big distances so we would do more kilometres than trucks based in more urban areas which have a neighbouring station," he said.