NT Bushfires receive Gen-Next Grass Fire Unit vehicles

For 15 years, NT firefighter Bill McLeod has been operating vehicles older than some of his teammates. This week, crews received their new and improved V8 motors, ready to tackle the bushfires of tomorrow.

Bushfires NT are rolling out new, up-gunned vehicles, with state-of-the-art communications and improved safety features set to enhance the Territory's volunteer fireys.

After years of battling fires in vehicles older than some of his crewmates, Bill McLeod now has the keys to a vehicle that will both enhance his operational ability and bring him home safely to his wife.

At Acacia Hills on August 20, members of Bushfires NT celebrated the arrival of a fleet of new 4WDs, designed to meet the rigorous demands that crews face in the field.

Dubbed the Gen-Next Grass Fire Unit (GFU), the new vehicles are fitted with radio communications, navigation aid and a string of practical features throughout its exterior and interior alike.

The arrival of the GFUs was met with enthusiasm by crew members, who were keen to discuss the vehicle’s potential in the face of a wildfire.

The V8 vehicles are expected to be huge addition to the volunteer firefighting community. Picture: Harry Brill

The vehicle’s qualities certainly impressed the 15-year veteran Mr McLeod, who hailed the safety aspects of the modified LandCruiser.

“There are new safety features this vehicle has and the way they’re set out now is great,” he said.

“For the crew inside – you can drive and see much better compared to the old vehicles.”

At a cost of around $165,000 per GFU vehicle, Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security chief executive Jo Townsend made no apologies for the big investment.

“I understand volunteers are extremely attached to their vehicles, they hold absolutely significance to them and I totally respect that” she said.

“But safety and the ability to allow any volunteer, no matter what their size, to be able to operate those vehicles is equally important.”

The tray of the vehicle is fitted with an impressive array of firefighting kit. Picture: Harry Brill.

Bushfires NT executive director Collene Bremner said plans for the next vehicles started in 2018, but was disrupted through Covid-19 and other issues.

“The pandemic certainly held things up and increased the challenge,” she said.

“And there were certain vehicle parts in Japan that weren’t available either.”

Banged up, melted and dusty, the old fleet certainly did its job in the field. Picture: Harry Brill.

Brigades in Acacia Hills, Adelaide River, Berry Springs, Elizabeth Valley, Darwin River and Dundee will each receive a new vehicle, with the Katherine crew to receive two 4WDs.

With more LandCruisers waiting to be configured, it is expected crews in the Red Centre will also receive a new fleet in the near future.

For McLeod, who spent six months of 2023 away from home fighting wildfires, the rollout was much appreciated.

“There was a lot of consultation with people who have been fighting fires and that’s why we’ve got what we do now, it’s truly good.

The vehicles can cast a protective radius of water - another notable new feature.

A communications dash and navigation station also comes with the vehicle.

Crew members looking forward to getting their hands on the new kit.