ACT unveils state-of-the-art electric fire truck – first of its kind in southern hemisphere

The ACT Emergency Services Agency (ESA) as added a state-of-the-art plug-in hybrid electric heavy duty fire truck to its Fire and rescue fleet.

The new fire truck operates with a fully electric drive, backed up by diesel capacity to be used only in the event of increased operational demand.

In a statement, ESA Commissioner Georgeina Whelan described it as the most modern firefighting vehicle in the world, saying the design incorporates many state-of-the art features.

“This vehicle has been designed to deliver a range of environmental, workplace health and safety, and operational benefits for both ACTF&R staff and the ACT community.”  said Whelan.

The absence of exhaust gases ensures cleaner air for firefighters and others in the vicinity of the vehicle. The high-tech fire truck also has night-vision electronic rear-view mirrors to increase driver visibility.

Unlike traditional diesel powered fire trucks, the new truck features street-level entry to reduce injuries caused by climbing in and out.

“The design of vehicle interiors is driven by firefighter safety and our ambition to embrace diversity by catering for a wider range of employees through ergonomic design and the clever application of technology,” said Whelan.

The new truck costs $1.5 million, about double the price of a conventional diesel truck. However, being electric it will have much lower running and maintenance costs on top of huge the huge health benefits to firefighters.

The truck also has the capability to send a thermal-imaging drone through the roof of the vehicle to scan the area for fire hot spots plus a positive pressure ventilation system filtered to keep the cabin free of smoke and contaminants.

In a post on LinkedIn ACT minister for energy and emissions reduction Shane Rattenbury said: “Not only have we committed to a huge new electric bus fleet with 94 new electric buses on order, but we’ve also taken delivery of an electric fire truck!

“The new Austrian-built, hybrid-electric fire pumper is the first right-hand drive machine of its type in the southern hemisphere. Thanks to its four wheel steering and all-wheel drive it can even crab walk sideways to get around traffic jams!”

“This is a great step towards getting more zero emissions heavy vehicles out on our roads to cut our emissions.”

The Australian-first plug-in hybrid electric heavy vehicle will undergo familiarisation and intensive training with ACT Fire and Rescue firefighters to ensure a safe transition to servicing the Canberra community.