Rural Queensland firefighters say new truck is ‘useless’ in the bush

Frightened rural fireys say new trucks rolled out across the state are “useless”, hold just 90 seconds of water and could potentially put their lives at risk when battling an inferno.

Rural Fire Service volunteers say the truck isn’t up to standard for the bush. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)

New rural fire trucks rolled out across the state are “useless”, hold just 90 seconds of water, and could potentially put lives at risk in the heat of a bushfire, firefighters say.

The shocking assessments have sparked Queensland Fire Department to commission a review of the Rural Fire Service Queensland fleet and develop a framework for standard of designs in the future.

The new medium attack vehicles started rolling out this year in a $19.5 million investment into RFSQ for replacement and new appliances in the 2024-25 financial year.

But multiple rural fire fighters from Queensland brigades have raised concerns about the new vehicles, including that they are too big to fit down some fire trails, have a much smaller tank, lack of cooling system, and are too difficult to drive.

“If inexperienced people use these trucks – and by that I mean less than professional truck drivers – people are going to die in the bush,” one volunteer told The Courier-Mail.

The truck rural fireys say isn’t up to standard - an RFSQ Medium Attack 2024 Isuzu NPS 75-155 4x4.

“It’s not fit-for-purpose, it’s a city truck put on a four-by-four chassis.

“It’s too big, and too useless.”

It comes in the midst of bushfire season - starting in July and often extending to February - with volunteers worried they will not be fully prepared for what is to come.

Queensland Fire Department currently has 83 of the vehicles on contract, and 15 have rolled out across the state since July.

One of the main concerns for firefighters is the smaller water tank and high-pressure pump – just 1200 litres which runs out in 90 seconds, and 800 litres smaller than the old tank.

“It’s a monster pump that’s designed to be hooked up to a hydrant. We don’t need high volume for a bushfire,” the volunteer said.

“It empties the tank in 90 seconds compared to five or six minutes with the older truck.

“If you’re always going to fill up water and come back, it’s wasting time.”

In an email sighted by The Courier Mail, fire fighters also raised to leaders that the high-pressure pump was not working effectively, hampering their response in emergencies.

The email also raised concerns about a safety override on the gearbox which locks up the truck if any of the rear lockers or drawers are open.

Volunteers say this could be detrimental if trying to escape an out of control bushfire in a hurry.

“In the heat of the moment, if a crew leader says ‘we’re out of here’, it’s very easy to miss (closing the draws).”

Fireys say the water tank isn’t sufficient. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)

Other issues include no cooling system in the rear of the cab, batteries in the truck not holding charge and needing to be jump started, and not driving properly on hills.

Volunteers said these issues need to be addressed, and called for any further production of the vehicle to be stopped.

A Queensland Fire Department spokesman said off the back of the complaints a review had been commissioned, but stood by the new tanks and pumps.

“Following feedback from volunteer members, a comprehensive fleet review was commissioned to ensure all RFSQ firefighting appliances are fit-for-purpose and are built and delivered to brigades as quickly as possible,” the spokesman said.

“This review will result in a detailed RFSQ Fleet Strategy which will outline a pathway to audit the existing RFSQ fleet, develop a framework for standard fleet designs and provide guidance on a detailed procurement program.

“RFSQ fleet is a key priority of the newly established Rural Fire Service Advisory Committee, which brings together volunteer members from across Queensland to advise the RFSQ chief officer on matters relevant to rural fire brigades.

“All new and replacement RFSQ appliances meet necessary standards for operational response and can be driven off-road.

“The pumps and tanks installed on the new medium appliances were selected for their suitability and effectiveness in a rural firefighting environment, and are designed to be operated accordingly.”

The spokesman said all 83 vehicles would be rolled out and volunteers could “be assured these trucks meet all requirements for operational response”.

Opposition spokesman for Fire and Emergency Services Dale Last said there needed to be an explanation.

“The issues that have been raised by volunteers relate directly to the safety of volunteers and their ability to help protect their community. There is simply no excuse for those factors to be downplayed or overlooked,” Mr Last said.

Originally published as Rural Queensland firefighters say new truck is ‘useless’ in the bush