New prototype pumper tanker

The next generation prototype pumper tanker will soon hit the road for review. Project Manager Peter Hill said the build has presented a number of unique challenges and the prototype will trial several new ideas. Peter explained that we have tried to incorporate some innovative thinking into this build. There are some features you will notice straight away such as new control screens, a thermal imaging camera mounted on the bull bar with a display inside the cabin, and battery-operated tools (including a battery-operated chainsaw). But some features may not be so obvious unless you look more closely. “The pump, tucked away behind the rear control panel, is hydraulically driven,” Peter said. “Traditionally, most of our pumps are either diesel engine or PTO [power take-off] driven. The new hydraulic drive will mean it will be a lot quieter.” Operationally, we have included a new tank ‘auto fill’ system, which means the tank is always full when boosting from the mains. But it doesn’t stop there. Many more new ideas have been incorporated including new tray door locks, luminous handrails for ease of use at night, and a rear body-mounted electronic messaging board. “We have even changed to a new low profile, black painted bull bar with an integrated light bar,” Peter said. Unfortunately, production has not been immune from the effects of COVID-19. “We’ve been challenged by a number of unique issues,” Peter explained. “A prototype build usually requires a lot of direct, handson work with the builder. A lot of tweaking is required. We couldn’t do that this time because of the access restrictions, so most of the design review and build control had to be done remotely via drawings, photos and videos.” Our body builder has had to change the way the build has progressed and has had a lot of issues sourcing parts. “It’s not until something like this happens that you realise how interconnected the world really is. The cab chassis, controls and electronic components come from Europe, the pump from the US and valving and raw metal from China.” Early on there was a lot of discussion about the role of the vehicle. Was it to be a pumper-tanker or a tanker-pumper? In the end, the Engineering team agreed that the vehicle’s primary role was as a pumper. It was also important that the vehicle had a footprint the same or smaller than the current new heavy tanker (see page 14). ‘Keeping the vehicle to a maximum of 8.2 metres was more challenging than expected and we had to work through a number of design layouts,” Peter said. The main features of this vehicle are: • 15T Iveco Eurocargo 4x2 crew cab chassis with full Allison automatic transmission fitted with hydraulic retarder • 3,000-litre water tank • 2,500 litres per minute water pump • One 30-metre Ø25mm live hose reel • 200-litre Class B and 50-litre Class A foam capability • Full stowage inventory. The prototype will tour the state later this year – look out for details on our News and Media website, news.cfa.vic.gov.au. “We hope that many volunteers are able to have a close look at the vehicle when it’s in their area. We look forward to their feedback.”

STORY ANDREW WEBB

General Firefighter rollout

Despite limitations on face-to-face training because of COVID-19, the General Firefighter project team has worked hard to finalise a mountain of materials to support brigades to undertake our new basic firefighter training course. The course will be ready to deliver as soon as face-to-face training can resume, and some elements of the course are being adapted for remote delivery. The team is now working on adapting the General Firefighter Orientation and Theory sessions to online video and virtual classrooms.

Our General Firefighter expert educators are being briefed to ensure our brigades and members get consistent training wherever they’re based, using recorded facilitator sessions, videos and presentations. The practical components of the course – Foundation Skill Drills, Consolidation Session and Practical assessment – will be released when face-to-face training resumes. In the meantime, CFA encourages all its new members to go to our online Learning Hub (learninghub. cfa.vic.gov.au) and take the two required courses to enter the General Firefighter program: Maintain Safety at CFA Incidents and Tree Hazard Awareness. A new online member induction program and General Firefighter Orientation will also be a prerequisite when it is released. Other modules such as Child Safe Awareness, COVID-19 Cleaning, Electrical Safety Awareness and Protect and Preserve Incident Scene will help new members to better understand how CFA operates. The Foundation Skill Drills videos, also available on the Learning Hub, are an excellent preparation for what you’ll be doing when face-to-face training resumes. The General Firefighter training content is based on the Bushfire Reference Firefighter Manual. By reading this you will get a good head start before practical training. A digital version of this manual is on the Learning Hub. These are the activities new members must complete with brigades: • Hose bowling and rolling a hose • Water delivery and branch patterns • Drip torch operation • Use of Class A foam • Hand tools • Obtaining water – reticulated supply • Obtaining water – static supply • Radio use • Entrapment procedures. Look out for the GFF Foundation Skill Drills Training Guide and information sheets on the Learning Hub. We will continue to provide updates on our News and Media website (news. cfa.vic.gov.au) about the rollout of the course over the coming months, and members can also head to the intranet (members.cfa.vic.gov.au) and search for ‘General Firefighter’ to access the latest developments and tools. Briefings and information sessions are being conducted now online across districts. During September and October, all brigades will receive an Information pack with a Foundation Skill Drills Training Guide, course information and a USB with copies of all the Foundation Skill Drills videos, electronic versions of the Training Guide and other useful information. All the material in the information pack can be found in the General Firefighter section of the Learning Hub now.