Tipperary firefighters get new state-of-the-art 340,000 fire engines

Two fire stations in Tipperary received new fire engines, with Cashel’s vehicle shown to councillors after a May meeting. The Scania truck includes additional equipment and updated technology to support firefighters’ work. Health and safety improvements include storing firefighters’ protective equipment in an external locker rather than in the cab. This change aims to reduce exposure to chemicals that can remain on gear after calls. The Cashel engine carries 1,800 litres of water and replaces a 19-year-old rig. The new appliance costs over €340,000 and was built in Scotland, with a sister engine based in Thurles.

"Safety has formed a major part of the new vehicle, with the firefighters' protective equipment being stored in a locker outside of the vehicle, rather than in the cab. Before, when firefighters would go out on a call, their equipment would be on the seat behind them, but now it is stored in a separate locker, aiming to protect firefighters from the chemicals that can build up during a fire."

""Even though we bag them, there can still be chemicles on them, so now after a call we can put them in the locker," Albert Adcock, Cashel Fire Station sub-station officer said. The new appliance carries 1,800 litres of water, and replaces the station's 19-year-old rig."

""It's a new machine so the health and safety side of it and the way stuff is built into it now makes things an awful lot easier for us as firemen and officers. "It's still carrying more or less the same equipment, but reliability is the thing too. It's new, the last machine we have is 19 years old. Everything is new," Mr Adcock said."

""It cost £330,000 (€347,000) and it was built in Scotland. Two came to Tipperary. There's one in Thurles and it would be the sister to this one, the two of them are the same. The new appliance will be based full-time in Cashel, with a sister appliance being based in Thurles."

Read at Irish Independent