Sydney high-rise and waistline boom leaves fireys scrambling for cranes

SYDNEY’s rapidly soaring skyline has left firefighters scrambling for aerial cranes with stations “borrowing” from each other during emergencies.

FIREMEN are scrambling to cope with a shortage of aerial firefighting cranes due to Sydney’s rapidly rising skyline.

With only five 37m cranes and a number of smaller appliances serving Sydney, Wollongong and Newcastle, the fire service has had to borrow one from Victoria, while stations that have cranes are taking it in turns to cover areas that don’t.

Firefighters want at least three more of the $1 million ­appliances, known as Brontos, to cope with high-rise fires and rescues, as well as covering the above-ground Sydney Metro Northwest rail project.

The Bronto seen being used in the Parramatta Public Primary School fire last week was later ruled out of service due to a blown engine. Picture: Gordon McComiskie

While Fire and Rescue is understood to have applied for $7 million for extra cranes, it has been told it would likely have to cut its budget by a similar amount.

The shortage escalated last week when a 37m Bronto at Parramatta blew its engine after fighting a blaze at a public school. A crane at Glebe is also out of action due to mechanical issues.

Emergency services received the call at around 5am. Picture: Gordon McComiskie

The heritage-listed building’s roof can be seen sagging. Picture: Gordon McComiskie

The building could not be saved. Picture: Kernin Lambert.

While the appliances are mainly used in fire emergencies, they are also used for rescues and storm work. FBEU state secretary Leighton Drury said the platforms are also used to extract morbidly obese residents trapped in multistorey buildings, with “up to five” such rescues in recent years.

A Bronto comes in handy in the aftermath of a severe storm during which St Mary's Catholic Church in Manly had part of its roof blown off.

Crews use a Bronto at Neutral Bay to rescue a man who had taken a large amount of MDMA and had fallen several storeys from an apartment building. Picture: Gordon McComiskie

Aside from Parramatta, other fire stations with a major aerial appliance are City of Sydney, Crows Nest, New­castle and Wollongong. Two others at Hornsby and St ­Andrews have long been ­decommissioned.

There are a further five 27m aerial appliances in Sydney, ­including at Manly, Kogarah, Glebe, Woollahra and Darlinghurst.

When the crane shortage was highlighted more than a year ago, Emergency Services Minister Troy Grant said it was up to Fire and Rescue Commissioner Paul Baxter to raise the issue with him.

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“If it’s an issue that is outside their budget scope, then the commissioner has that conversation with me and I talk to government,” he said.

A Fire and Rescue spokesman said the aerial fleet was also supported by 12 smaller appliances.

“The public should be confident that Fire and Rescue continually assesses risk factors in order to allocate appropriate firefighting resources that ­enhance community safety,” he said.

Crews battle the St Peters factory blaze. Picture: Gordon McComiskie

“FRNSW is committed to providing its firefighters with new vehicles for their vital work in protecting local communities, and ensuring they are prepared for anything and to  help  anyone, anywhere, any time.”

Two years ago, the state Opposition called for a Bronto to be stationed at Liverpool ­following a high-rise boom in the area.

Mr Drury said western Sydney desperately needs a second crane, especially with the above-ground Northwest rail line due to open soon.