Ayr Fire & Rescue Station has received a major equipment upgrade with the arrival of a new $1.2 million Type 3 Scania P360 appliance, marking a significant step forward for local firefighting capabilities in the Burdekin.
After years of delays, the new fire truck was officially delivered this month as part of the Crisafulli Government’s $134 million investment in the Queensland Fire Department. The vehicle, built by Bell, comes equipped with state-of-the-art technology including a remote roof mount water monitor, pump-and-roll capability, and the latest Holmatro Core road crash rescue equipment. Its 4,700 litres-per-minute pump capacity will enable crews to tackle emergencies with greater speed and effectiveness.
Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP, said the new truck would make a tangible difference to frontline response efforts.
“The delivery of this new appliance has been a long time coming for our local firefighters,” Mr Last said. “The former government made promises time after time but failed to keep them when it came to the new appliance.
“Our local crews respond to a broad range of incidents ranging from fires to road incidents and even technical rescues. Given the distances they cover, it is essential that they have the equipment they need to perform those duties as effectively and safely as possible, and the new appliance makes a huge contribution to achieving that.”
Mr Last said the upgrade addressed long-standing safety concerns about outdated gear and signaled the government’s commitment to further improving facilities.
“In less than 12 months the Crisafulli government has addressed the delivery of the new appliance, and we are well on the way when it comes to the new station that we committed to in the lead up to the October election,” he said. “Just like the community, I am extremely grateful to, and proud of, our local firefighters.”
Minister for Fire, Disaster Recovery and Volunteers Ann Leahy said the government was determined to reverse what she described as a decade of neglect.
"After 10 years of decline, firies are finally getting the support and resources they deserve,” Minister Leahy said. “This forms part of the more than $134 million we have delivered for modernised facilities, vehicles, and equipment for the Queensland Fire Department, delivering the Fresh Start our hardworking firies deserve.”
“Under Labor, our local firies were being forced to work in outdated stations with ageing equipment and no confidence that things would improve. Within weeks after the election, the plan to deliver a new station and have the new appliance on the ground in the Burdekin was finalised.”
Acting Chief Superintendent Corrie Benson, who oversees the Townsville division, said the truck would deliver direct benefits for both the community and crews.
“For our community, this vehicle represents faster response times, improved capability and greater reliability. Put simply, it means safer homes and safer families,” Superintendent Benson said.
“For our firefighters, this truck provides a safer and more efficient work environment that allows our crews to focus on what matters most: protecting lives and protecting property.”
The new Scania joins the fleet at Ayr Fire & Rescue Station immediately and is expected to enhance response capacity across the Burdekin and surrounding regions.
Inspector Doug Allom (Townsville Country Command), Member for Burdekin Dale Last, Station Officer Ash Ryder, and Acting Chief Superintendent Corrie Benson (Townsville Division) at the handover of Ayr Fire Station’s new appliance.
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