Release date: 15/06/22

The Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) will have a major election commitment honoured by the Malinauskas Government in the form of 12 new fire trucks and a greater maintenance capability.

A total sum of $14.1 million over four years was allocated in the State Budget 2022-23 to provide the new trucks, known as Heavy Urban Pumpers (HUPs), and maintenance necessities.

As well as 12 new trucks, funding for two fully qualified mechanics and two apprentices was included in the Budget. The recruitment process for the qualified mechanics opened on June 9.

Six HUPs will be ordered in July this year, with a further three appliances to be purchased in 2023/24. In 2024/25 the last three appliances will be ordered. Each appliance takes 18-24 months to build.

Each appliance costs approximately $1 million and existing trucks set to be replaced by the new appliances will be sent to serve in regions across South Australia.

HUPs can carry 3000 litres of water, rescue equipment and employ burn over protection systems that protect crews responding to urban interface bushfires.

The MFS operates from 20 stations throughout greater metropolitan Adelaide and 17 stations in major regional centres.

Budget documents projected that in 2022-23 the MFS will investigate 210 fires, with an estimated 70 to be deliberate, 120 to be accidental and a further 20 undetermined.


Quotes

Attributable to Joe Szakacs

Those on the front lines of South Australia’s emergency response deserve the best tools to save lives.

The delivery of this election commitment will help the brave firefighters of the MFS to greatly reduce risks posed to South Australians.

An extra 12 trucks will give MFS employees the resources they need to reduce preventable fires and save lives.