New weapons to fight Tas fires revealed
New weapons to fight Tas fires revealed
17 December 2013
published by www.heraldsun.com.au
Australia — A NEW firefighting truck, water bombing helicopter and an improved emergency warning system are in place for the Tasmanian bushfire season.
The new fire truck, worth nearly $700,000, can spray compressed air foam, is the largest vehicle of its kind in the Asia Pacific and can carry more than 8000 litres of water.
The new water bombing helicopter is one of five contracted aircraft that will be positioned in Tasmania this bushfire season.
Tasmania Fire Service chief officer Mike Brown said its new web publishing system simultaneously distributes emergency information to its webpage, radio and television broadcast partners, social media networks and other emergency management agencies and government partners.
Tasmanians in bushfire-prone areas were asked to have their own bushfire protection plan.
“The plan must be written down, practised regularly and take into consideration the age and physical capabilities of everyone in your household, including children and the elderly,” he said on Tuesday.
Tasmanian Police and Emergency Management Minister David O’Bryne said the state was rated as one of the most fire-prone regions in the world.
Tasmania’s recent history can attest to that after catastrophic conditions on January 4 saw 400 structures destroyed and a bill of $70 million but, remarkably, there were no deaths.
