On Thursday 12 February, the Bowen Fire and Rescue Station received a state of the art $1.15 million Type 3 fire truck, the best appliance the team had ever seen. The appliance was provided for by the government to support fire rescue initiatives across the region.
Both Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Ry Collins and State Member for Burdekin Dale Last, were present at the event, with Mr Last handing over the keys – a ceremonial gesture to mark the start of a great endeavour.
The truck is the first of its kind to be delivered to the Bowen Station and is considered a jack-of-all trades appliance, built with the capability of responding to structural, petrol, chemical and grass fires. Additional features include modern road crash equipment as well as extra space for specialised rescue features, allowing the crew to respond more efficiently to a variety of emergencies.
“Our firefighters go above and beyond for this community, and this new appliance gives them the modern, reliable equipment they need to do their job with confidence and capability,” said Mr Last.
Queensland Fire Department (QFD) Assistant Commissioner Michael O’Neil said the
new fit-for-purpose appliance would help Bowen firefighters continue providing first-
class frontline services to their community.
“Firefighters in Bowen can be called to help people in need right across the
Whitsunday region, from Proserpine to the south, inland to Collinsville and north to
Gumlu,” he said.
“This appliance is a valuable asset to the continued service delivery for Bowen and
surrounding communities, and the crews have undergone extensive training to
ensure they are familiar with the appliance and ready to use it well.”
Overall, it was a great occasion with local and regional firefighters present to show their gratitude. The boost to important infrastructure ensures that more emergency and rescue calls can be responded to with efficiency and consistency.
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