Canberra has become the first city in Australia to have a plug-in hybrid fire engine to combat fires. The state-of-the-art vehicle, which comes with a diesel range extender, has been redesigned from the ground up and is said to be able to run continuously on its batteries for up to two hours or up to six hours on the diesel generator. In addition, the $1.5 million trucks comes equipped with a 1,500-liter water tank and the vehicle can pump 3,500 liters of water per minute using its electric pump when connected to a water source.
The fire engine, made in Austria, has been hailed as a significant step forward in reducing emissions and improving the safety of firefighters. The plug-in hybrid results in “reduced noise, vibration and CO2 emissions, [while also] improving the safety of firefighters,” according to officials from the ACT Emergency Services Agency. The digital cameras instead of side mirrors improve the visibility for the driver and the tight turning circle, which helps maneuver in difficult areas, is a critical feature for emergency services. The street-level door also reduces the risk of falls for firefighters using heavy equipment.
The vehicle has a thermal imaging drone mounted on its roof, which can check immediate areas for hot spots. The drone is an essential tool that can list monitors hot spots and assesses the areas of damage without putting firefighters in danger. The fire engine is also equipped with a four-wheel steering and four-wheel drive, which enables it to walk like a crab sideways to get around traffic jams.
Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Shane Ratternbury said the plug-in hybrid fire engine is a significant step in getting more zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles on the road to reduce emissions. Notably, the vehicle costs approximately 50 percent more than a conventional fire engine.
The fire engine will be stationed at West Belconnen in Canberra before moving to a new fire station in Acton. The state-of-the-art truck has been designed for maximum efficacy in responding to emergencies and minimizing risk to firefighters, while also coming equipped with advanced technological features.
Ben Zachariah, a seasoned writer and automotive journalist from Melbourne, has noted that the vehicle is a significant step towards more sustainable firefighting practices in Australia. “The new fire engine represents the next step in achieving significant reductions in fire emissions, and its groundbreaking technology could lead the way towards a more sustainable future for Australia’s emergency services,” he noted.
The introduction of the plug-in hybrid fire engine comes after the Australian Capital Territory acknowledged the need to address climate change and lower carbon emissions. The government committed to reducing its target of greenhouse gas emissions from 40 to 50 percent by 2025. The move towards more sustainable technological solutions in firefighting, as illustrated by the plug-in hybrid fire truck in Canberra, highlights the important role that innovation and technology can play in reducing carbon emissions across a range of sectors.
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