August 10, 2023
Booie Rise Rural Fire Brigade is now the proud owner of a LandCruiser GXL light attack vehicle, thanks to the Rural Fire Brigades Association of Queensland (RFBAQ).
The official handover of the FusionCruiser – worth about $135,000 plus accessories – occurred on Tuesday night at the brigade’s Fire Shed in Malar Crescent.
RFBAQ general manager Justin Choveaux said the truck had been fully funded by donations, and was now owned by Booie Rise RFB.
The brigade’s previous light attack vehicle, a Ford Ranger, has been handed back and the RFBAQ is now inviting applications from eligible RFBs which do not have a vehicle.
Applications close on September 30.
Booie Rise’s new two-man vehicle features a crew protection system which sprays around the vehicle as well as cooling the windows to stop them getting hot and breaking.
The vehicle is also fitted with a Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS) system which can be activated from inside the cab.
A 550 litre tank below the floor provides stability as well as allows for more storage room.
A thermal imaging camera is embedded in the bullbar which can detect people and animals through smoke and low light.
Booie Rise First Officer Tim Harcus said the brigade was very grateful to the RFBAQ for its support.
Earlier this year, the association also provided Booie Rise – which has 21 members – with a $10,000 grant to put towards a $17,000 concrete washdown pad at the front of the fire shed.
The rest of the money was raised by the brigade members themselves.
Booie Rise’s FusionCruiser is the 12th fully funded fire truck that the RFBAQ has handed over to Rural Fire Brigades in Queensland over the past 30 months with no government subsidies.
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The RFBAQ has warned that time is running out for Rural Fire Brigades – which have not yet received a Buy Local Grant – to apply.
The equipment will be purchased by the RFBAQ from local suppliers, and must be items not already supplied by the Rural Fire Service.
Applications close on October 2.
