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Santa came early for Koondrook CFA

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Koondrook CFA team
Koondrook CFA members and families, with CFA representatives. Photo: The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper

After 33 years of excellent service to Koondrook Fire Brigade, old faithful has been moved on, replaced with a shiny new model with all the bells, whistles and, of course, sirens! The well-kept secret was unveiled to the excited CFA members with a jet of water announcing the arrival of the new tanker.

Squirty truck
The new tanker
Photo: The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper

Koondrook CFA captain, John Shultz, said, “Our old tanker has attended many incidents ranging from grass and scrub fires, structure fires, motor vehicle accidents and other unusual incidents such as helping a stranded duck shooter who had got himself stuck in a channel up to his waist in mud.”

The old tanker has provided an invaluable service, not only at local incidents, but many strike teams all around the Mallee, around Gippsland and on another occasion as far away as Sydney.

 “Our members who have manned this tanker have very fond memories and are thankful that it never let us down and always got us home safely.”

The replacement tanker now has many extras that we never had on the old one. The crew cab is a major safety upgrade as all the five crew can be seated in the air conditioned cab. This allows the crew leader to be able to discuss and formulate a plan for when we arrive at the incident. 

The drivers will love the new vehicle fitted with a turbo charged diesel engine which gives better performance. 

New truck
Photo: The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper

The method of getting water into the tanker from a channel is greatly improved as the priming pump is now fitted with a 12-volt electric motor, which is much quicker than the hand operated pump on the old tanker. 

Fire fighting is also made easier and safer by the use of a large nozzle called a monitor which is mounted on the bull bar. This monitor is operated by remote control from inside the cabin.

To complement the other standard fire fighting hoses, there is a high pressure hose reel, similar to a pressure washer, which uses water very efficiently when mopping up. 

“We look forward to the same reliable service from our replacement tanker as we had from our old tanker, but with a higher level of safety and comfort for our fire fighters,” said John.

The Kondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper 18 November 2021

This article appeared in The Koondrook and Barham Bridge Newspaper, 18 November 2021.

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