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Waitaki District's New Rural Fire Appliance

Thursday 26 May 2011, 11:03AM

By Waitaki District Council

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OAMARU

In 2010 the Waitaki Rural Fire Authority decided it needed to retire a 30 year old tanker that was struggling to gain a Certificate of Fitness for continued use so a 10,000 litre water tanker was purchased from Auckland
Truck Sales second hand. This followed a search around New Zealand for a suitable tanker that would allow Council to obtain the National Rural Fire Authority subsidy.

The tanker purchased meets the needs of the Fire Authority for at least the next 20 years.

The tanker was inspected by an experienced truck mechanic in Auckland prior to purchase who advised the vehicle was in excellent condition for its age and with the large water tank would provide a valuable source of water for rural vegetation fires, including structures on lifestyle blocks. Waitaki District Council duly
purchased the unit and it was delivered to Oamaru by the Principal Rural Fire Officer who advised
that it was easy to drive and had good road holding capability.

The tanker was fitted out at Ireland Engineering with the pipe work connections and fire pump being installed to draw water from its tanks. The vehicle has been painted in its rural fire colours.

Warning devices, Fire Service and Council radio installations are complete. Project management has been managed by the Principal Rural Fire Officer – Steve Couper.

The vehicle was formally presented by Waitaki District Council’s Mayor Alex Familton to the Waitaki Rural Fire Authority at a short ceremony on Thursday 26 May 2011. The vehicle will be based at the Waitaki Rural Fire Station at Deborah.