The first of 15 new Tasmanian fire trucks to be deployed across the state was delivered with a number of defects, parliamentary questioning has revealed.
The urban pumper prototype, which was delivered to the Kingston Volunteer Fire Brigade last month, lists missing mud flaps, a wrongly fitted tyre and emergency lights that shine pink due to water ingress as issues to be rectified.
On delivery, the new 2.1 medium pumper also required a software update.
In question time on Tuesday, Labor’s Dean Winter asked how a new emergency vehicle costing $600,000 could have passed quality assurance “with 17 defects”, a figure since disputed by the Tasmania Fire Service (TFS).
The new medium pumper (right) is expected to replace the brigade’s existing 30-year-old heavy pumper (left). (Facebook: Kingston Fire Brigade)
In response, Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Jeremy Smith has said that the prototype remains “still fit for purpose” and repairs would be “under warranty”.
“As with any new piece of kit, we do have teething problems,” Commissioner Smith said.
“What we’re seeing is some minor defects that can be rectified or already have been rectified.
“It’s still fit for purpose. However, we have decided to move it out of that role while we finalise all the upgrades.”
A TFS spokesperson said the figure of “17 defects” was incorrect.
The new emergency vehicle is one of 15 to be deployed across Tasmania. (ABC News: ABC News)
He said engineers from the Tasmanian Fire Service along with the truck’s builders were working to ensure the pumper was fully compliant before it was reintroduced.
The new pumper will replace Kingston Fire Brigade’s 30-year-old heavy tanker.
Tasmania Fire Service Acting Deputy Chief Simon Pilkington said initial concerns about the pumper were raised last week but at “no point” had the vehicle been deemed unsafe to operate.
“The appliance was not delivered with an air leak, this is an issue that had recently been identified, with no associated mechanical fault report generated,” Mr Pilkington said.
He said one of the vehicle’s six tyres had been incorrectly fitted but this had since been fixed.
Emergency Services Minister Felix Ellis (left) unveiled the new truck last month. (ABC News: ABC News)
Mr Pilkington also said the vehicle “was not delivered with ‘pink’ emergency lighting”.
“This has since been attributed to water ingress into a plug, which is currently being addressed.
“As with any project of this scale, some initial challenges have been encountered. However, these early lessons have been valuable and will help ensure a smoother transition into service for the remaining trucks to be rolled out across various locations throughout the state soon.”
The vehicle is one of 15 fire trucks built at a cost of $12 million.
Emergency Services Minister Felix Ellis has been contacted for comment.
