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Now this would be a real FUN toy

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Kiwithrottlejockey
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Having fun in the hills!


« on: November 04, 2009, 02:03:42 pm »


New tool for fire brigade

By RANDALL WALKER - Kapiti Observer | 4:14PM - Friday, 30 October 2009

OFF-ROAD RESPONSE: Paekakariki firefighter Ben Flynn and chief Ash Richardson take the brigade's new all-terrain vehicle for a spin in Queen Elizabeth Park.

OFF-ROAD RESPONSE: Paekakariki firefighter Ben Flynn and chief Ash Richardson take the brigade's new all-terrain vehicle for a spin in Queen Elizabeth Park.

There will be no stopping the Paekakariki Fire Brigade now it has its own all-terrain vehicle.

The volunteer brigade had bought a brand new Kawasaki Teryx, a two-seat off-roader capable of going places its standard issue fire truck could not.

"We're surrounded by places we can't actually take a fire appliance to," said fire chief Ash Richardson, listing rural properties on Paekakariki Hill Road, the beach and Queen Elizabeth Park as examples.

The ATV could also potentially slip through an accident-blocked highway quicker to provide first aid to injured motorists and support for responding rescue tenders, he said.

While the brigade's response history showed it had little problem reaching calls, Mr Richardson predicted it could become more of a problem as extreme weather became more commonplace.

He foresaw the vehicle as a prototype for the fire service to watch.

"We've taken the risk of being [one of] the first ones to spend money and buy something like this and if successful ... other rural brigades might look at something like this for their brigades."

Other emergency services and the Paekakariki Surf Lifesaving Club could use it if needed.

The initiative followed Kapiti Police buying two mountain bikes to improve their ability to get to hard-to-reach places quickly.

The brigade bought the $20,000 ATV with cash from its trust fund. It had no fire service contribution and would not be dispatched by the service, but the officer in charge could decide to send it out to support the truck.

Powered by a four-stroke 750cc engine, the ATV could travel at up to 80km/h and tow nearly a tonne.

It had knobbly, balloon tyres, the option of both four and two-wheel-drive, and differential control.

It would not be fitted with a hose or carry jaws of life equipment, but had a fire extinguisher and first aid kit on board.

Firefighter Ben Flynn described it as an "all terrain wheelbarrow" for callouts the fire truck could not access, with the truck becoming like a "mobile tool box".

"We will just dump whatever we want onto the ATV and transport to it wherever the equipment or personnel are required."

It could carry rural firefighting packs, a portable pump, lighting equipment, a generator or extra hoses on its cargo tray.

The acquisition grew from a suggestion about two years ago by then new Kapiti mayor Jenny Rowan, that the brigade might need a motorbike to get to accidents on the Coastal Highway if it became blocked due to the wire rope barrier being installed, said Mr Richardson.

A discussion within the brigade followed and Mr Flynn came up with the idea of an ATV being more useful than a motorbike.

They approached the fire service and were told to prepare a business case, and after getting approval from regional commander Ian Pickard they began to look for a suitable vehicle.

The ATV was basically a quad bike with side-by-side bucket seats, seatbelts and a roll cage.

The brigade added a front laminated glass windscreen and wipers, a rear plastic windshield, flashing lights, indicators and rear lights, a horn, siren and VHF radio.

It was registered as a farm vehicle, meaning it could be driven on the road up to 20km from its registered address. Most of the brigade's calls were within 5km.


http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/local/kapiti-observer/3016390/New-tool-for-fire-brigade
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Kiwithrottlejockey
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« Reply #1 on: October 07, 2013, 09:17:29 pm »



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If you aren't living life on the edge, you're taking up too much space! 

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