The brigade welcomed a new addition to its fleet, a 3.4U tanker, this week. It replaces the old 1.4 .
The 3.4U (U for Urban) carries 3,600 litres of water of which 600 are reserved for the deluge safety system. This compares to the 1,000 litres in the old truck, which did not have a deluge system. It seats 6, unlike the old truck’s 5. It has three delivery outputs along with two reel hoses and two monitors with statics.
On the input side it has two collectors along with one direct tank fill collector and one 100mm suction input for drafting. The pump can output at 1,850 litres per minute at 700kPa (or 7 bar for the bike riders.) It can operate in stationary or pump and roll mode with the pump coupled to an independent engine.
The truck has similar safety features as the current 4.4, with an automatic vehicle locator, an external deluge system, radiant heat shields and in cab air units. An additional new welcome feature is a 32 litre fridge, along with two ladders.
“This new truck underscores the confidence the City of Busselton and DFES have in our brigade,” Captain Matt Muir said, on receiving the truck on behalf of the brigade. “The extra 2,000 litres of water along with the space for an extra person will make a significant improvement in our effectiveness,” he said. Matt would like to thank Blake Moore at the City of Busselton for doing the feasibility work to get the Brigade the bigger crew / water capacity appliance. It is a great result for the Brigade and the Yallingup Community.”
The old 1.4 originally was with the Yallingup Siding Brigade prior to the merger with Rural. It was over 20 years old and according the last captain of the Siding Brigade, Mark Standish, it was the first of its kind in the state. For the first six months of its life it was used for demonstration purposes. The 1.4’s last operational role was in late May when it and the 4.4 were in Jarrahwood after the town was evacuated; doing clear up work along the Vasse Hwy so that the road could be reopened.
Yallingup Rural Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade 