September 1, 2016
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service in Kingaroy has been given one of six new Mercedes-Benz Geländewagen 4WDs to improve their fire-fighting capabilities.
The new G-Wagen integrated fire units were unveiled at the Australasian Fire Authorities Council (AFAC) conference in Brisbane earlier this week.
National Parks Minister Dr Steven Miles said the new trucks had been developed to meet QPWS firefighting needs.
“QPWS manages more than 13 million ha of public land and fire is a critical element of its management program for these areas,” Dr Miles said.
“The new G-Wagens have been modified by Queensland company Quik Corp to meet the needs of QPWS rangers undertaking fire management works. The modern design includes increased weight-carrying capacity so more water can be carried.
“There is also additional storage for QPWS equipment and a protective structure to boost firefighter safety and minimise damage from falling trees and branches.
“Two of the units are in operation at Fraser Island and Kingaroy, with four more locations (Samford, Springbrook, Kenilworth and Byfield) to have units delivered over the next month,” Dr Miles said.
QPWS is gradually replacing its 220-strong fire-unit fleet with more modern appliances.
Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesman David McCarthy said the G-Wagen was a unique vehicle.
“(It) is no show pony. It is a work horse developed and engineered over more than 40 years on the toughest terrains in the world.
“The G-Wagen has been rolled out in similar parks and firefighting applications in other States and it has been re-engineered to deliver maximum safety for the users over what is expected to be a very long service life.”
Quik Corp managing director David Wardle said the design team worked closely with QPWS to fit out the G-Wagens with equipment designed for firefighting and planned burning needs.
