MEDIA RELEASE

12 October 2010

Cheviot Gets New Fire Tanker

Firefighters in Cheviot are now better equipped to fight any blazes that may threaten homes or lives in the township.

They’ve just received a new fire tanker. It will replace the one that’s been in service for many years in the district.

Hurunui’s Principal Rural Fire Officer, Allan Grigg says the replacement tanker will be critical to the volunteer brigade’s ability to get sufficient water quickly to any blaze “to have the best chance of ‘knocking it down’ before it gets well out of control.”

Because Cheviot is on restricted rural supply it relies on tanker water to back up what the fire appliances can carry on board – especially where there are no hydrants they can tap into.

Allan Grigg says the tanker, which has been funded by the Hurunui District Council, will provide reassurance for the township but also prove beneficial if the volunteer brigade is ever needed to support rural firefighters in the event of a major blaze.

“It is obviously important to ensure all our firefighters have the right equipment and resources to respond appropriately and safely in the event of any callout, especially one where lives may be at risk.”

The 1983 Ford N 1317 tanker, which has been bought from neighbouring Waimakariri District Council, can hold 8,000 litres of water and pump as much as 1100 litres a minute when needed.

It had previously been based at Woodend.

It’s the ninth tanker for the district providing essential back up fire fighting capacity to Hurunui.

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