Cairns fireys to get new $1.1m truck in wake of Cyclone Jasper

One of three new top-range fire trucks has been deployed to the Far North, gearing the region to better prepare for disasters and road crashes.

Fire Minister Nikki Boyd with Acting Inspector Wayne Roe at the Cairns Fire & Rescue Station in Westcourt. Picture: Annabel Bowles

The Far North has become home to one of three new state-of-the-art fire trucks, allowing local crews to better respond to natural disasters and road accidents.

A new $1.1m Lima medium rescue truck, based at the Cairns Fire and Rescue station in Westcourt, will hit the road in late March.

It replaces an ageing truck that had served the community for more than two decades.

Fireys are currently undertaking specialised training to operate the vehicle’s modern new kit, which includes hydraulic and battery-powered “jaws of life” and equipment for vertical, swift water and heavy vehicle rescues.

A new $1.1m Lima medium rescue truck will be based at the Cairns Fire and Rescue Station in Westcourt, replacing a 20-year-old truck. Picture: Annabel Bowles

QFES Acting Assistant Commissioner Michael O’Neil said the vehicle was purpose-built to the needs of Far North Queensland responses.

“It gives us the ability to not only transport equipment safely, but also the crew to get to incidents a lot quicker,” he said.

Fire and Disaster Recovery Minister Nikki Boyd said the new vehicle marked just one investment needed to face the challenges of the “most disaster-prone state in the country”.

“We’ve got a pipeline of appliances from the Miles government that will coming through right across the state of Queensland,” she said.

Originally published as Cairns fireys to get new $1.1m truck in wake of Cyclone Jasper