Fire Engines Photos

Capacity is 300-800 litres.

Added by Erick on 20 November 2008.

The vehicle belongs to Hawkesbury Headquarters Rural Fire Brigade.

Added by Justin on 24 July 2009.

and tank capacity for these is normal between 450 and 650L
:)

Added by Benny G on 02 September 2009.

There is only one HEADQUARTERS brigade in NSW at Homebush. All other Shire/City Headquarters Brigades now have other names (eg Wagga Wagga HQ is Glenfield Park, Wellington HQ is now Mt Arthur)
My guess is that this is an Exhibition/Display vehicle at he time of the photo. Hopefully someone is putting it to good use somewhere now!
Cheers Paul

Added by Fireyowie on 04 December 2009.

Not entirely correct Fireyowie. Most district HQ brigades accepted a name change when head office ruled that it was the only "Headquarters". There were several that decided to keep their names. One that did so was Warringah/Pittwater Headquarters brigade, and i am fairly sure that there were several others.


Added by Nate on 05 December 2009.

Sorry Nate and Justin, i stand corrected. I was under the impression that name changes were impossed, rather than suggested. According to a senior RFS Ops officer (at "Headquarters" (Homebush) there were 3 reasons for the change
1."Head Office" became "Headquarters" thanks to 'Uncle Phil' in late 1990s, no policy was ever produced to prevent other brigades from using HQ.
2. As the use of strike teams increased HQ brigades started meeting on the fire ground making communications interesting- some shires changed to as a matter of ease of coms and safety.
3. the RTA required individual units to have individual sign writing to identify them as vehicles don't have rego plates.

When a shire headquarters brigade unit calls in, what is it's call sign on the radio?

Justin, got any pics of it in action?

Added by Fireyowie on 23 March 2010.

I've been meaning to ask, why are the water tanks on these vehicles so small? On the average in the US, tank sizes run about 1000l to 1200l for pick up style brush trucks. 650 seems rather small to be effective.

Thanks

Added by David L on 23 March 2010.

The Category 9's are used primarily as reconnaissance and command vehicles. They carry water for safety reasons and you tend not to use the water on them unless it is really necessary. When backburning or patrolling, 650L can go a long way when used effectively with foam. Hope this helps. Cat 7's are really our equivalent of your brush trucks and usually carry around 1500L.

Added by Benny G on 23 March 2010.

Great point David, we Aussie firefighters ask the same. Having worked on the fireground with and in the manufacture of these appliances a couple of things are apparent.
1. Aussie bush tracks were originally cut for Landrovers, a fairly narrow vehicle. Toyota Landcruiser, Nissan Patrol have replaced the LRs but are of similar size. ie, smaller than F series Fords etc.
2. these vehicles are ordered as standard meaning the total payload is 1250kg for the LC, the Patrol is a bit better but not much. Fill the fuel tank, put 2 x 90kg firefighters (inc PPE), weight of tray and tank, foam, pumpset and (minimal) firefighting equipment you are left with about 650kg = 650litres.
Initially these vehicles were a factory standard back with steel tank and storage bolted on top, in the last 15 years there has been a real push towards custom made aluminium tray and tank combo. I worked with Hall Metal Fabrication building built the ACT Rural Fire Service’s Tank/trays, all aluminium with the tank sunk between the chassis rails to keep the weight down. Actually by keeping storage and tank capacity down we were able to develop a tray that a firefighter could stand in while fighting the fire.

Even with a special set of “mining industry” springs the capacity is only raised slightly (and these cost extra!!)

In saying that they are useful, quick and easy to drive and repair.

Sorry for being so wordy, this kind of stuff just flows when I start, Praise The Lord for this space, now I can leave my family in peace!

See pic 6412 for old style back
See pic 6924 for example of the ACT Rural Fire Service’s “ride on” solution


Added by Fireyowie on 24 March 2010.

Fireyowie; just keep the info coming. I am some 9,000 nm(16,700 km) away, and it is snowing again: I dearly want to know how your Fire-Trucks are equipped, and why, for the tinder-dry fire-conditions in your area; and you have a long-standing drought going, too.

I understand, that with the water supplies limited; that you use a smaller diameter hose and a higher water pressure in the line.?

Can only gaze at a good photograph, for so long; and make some guesses - then ya gotta ask questions....

Konrad Nowak is another great source of info, in his area, around Poland....

Regards, from snowy Canada,
Pat_R-B

Added by Pat Rivers-Bowerman on 25 March 2010.

how much does a cat 9 cost??

Added by Jamie on 24 May 2010.

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