The NSW State Emergency Service’s first custom-built High Clearance Vehicle, known as a Unimog, has arrived at its new permanent home of Lismore.
Minister for Emergency Services Steph Cooke said the Unimog was one of six to be acquired by the State Emergency Service (SES) as part of a $4.6 million investment.
‘These specialist trucks have the ability to operate in 1.2 metres of water and can also serve as a mobile communications hub, making them a real asset during flood operations,’ Ms Cooke said.
‘SES volunteers in Lismore were on the front line of the February-March flood event and are the first Unit in the State to permanently host this asset, boosting their capability when communities in the Northern Rivers face flooding.
‘By acquiring these six new Unimogs the NSW Government is ensuring the SES boasts the most capable and advanced fleet of flood operations vehicles in Australia.’
SES Commissioner Carlene York said of the six Unimogs being added to the SES fleet, three vehicles are being custom-built while three have been supplied by the Australian Defence Force (ADF).
‘The ADF Unimogs were utilised during the Northern Rivers floods earlier this year and have already proven to be life-saving. To build further capability in this particular area, which has just suffered the most devastating floods the community has ever seen, is very important,’ Commissioner York said.
Lismore City Unit Commander Lacy Loloa said volunteers are very excited to be the first Unit in NSW to permanently house a Unimog.
‘We look forward to further enhancing our flood rescue capabilities with this new asset. This will be a huge help when we’re called to assist the local community once again in a time of need,’ Ms Loloa said.
This type of vehicle was actually in the local area before & during the last historic floods.
Parked in neat rows at our local Army Reserve depots !
It is galling that none were operating just when they were needed most ?
Perhaps it’s another case of bureaucratic/be-medalled thinking [similar to them decrying our private ‘tinny-heroes’] and yet another gross under-utilisation of existing local resources in such a dire emergency?
High-publicity catch-up after the event is never sound emergency planning.
Gate closed horse bolted.
I suppose these are intended to replace the $500,000 Truck that Woodburn had taken deliver of , but neglected to use or move, and so, was unaccountably lost to the flood-waters , proving once and for-all, funding is no match for incompetence.
Cheers, G”)
Quote:
‘These specialist trucks have the ability to operate in 1.2 metres of water and can also serve as a mobile communications hub, making them a real asset during flood operations,’ Ms Cooke said.
Really?
A real asset during a flood..
I would hate to break it to Ms Cooke..but the real asset at the height of the flood were the tinnies and jet skis….and the many persons who risked their lives to do this.
They operated in depths greater than 1.2 meters and did it time and time again..
So I think Ms Cooke and Co will have to go back to the drawing board.
I think here is one for them to contemplate, work on and seriously consider for future floods.
How to harness, utilise and direct in a moderate safe manor the many “willing civilians” in conjunction with the NSW State Emergency Services in a flexible way so as to have “More Boots” on the ground when it is needed.
I 100% agree with you, it was the volunteers in the tinnies & jetskis that saved our lives, & they were in well over 1.2meters. the ses wouldn’t even cross the river so how’s a bunch of vehicles sitting on the wrong side of the river going to help? They can’t.
An aquatic vehicle that can operate in a flood level peaking over 14m is the most common sense vehicle with the same communication abilities. This wheeled vehicle would have disappeared with all on board in the last 2 floods…and if it didn’t it would be because they deemed it too risky to enter the water..it’s not a boat. Hence useless!
I feel six $30 000 tonnes would would be a great help not six $750000 trucks that could be lost in a minute. Who would be capable of drive a truck into flood water 1.2m deep good luck