Western Australia’s vehicle manufacturing industry has been boosted with the awarding of a new $47.5 million State Government contract to build up to 300 new firefighting vehicles.
The new contract for “1.4 tanker” firefighting appliances was awarded to Perth-based family-operated company Technifire and will ensure volunteer and career firefighters have purpose-built vehicles to respond to bushfires.
Technifire will engage Collie fabricator Piavanini Welding to undertake 40 per cent of the work on the body assembly in the South-West town with the remaining build to be undertaken at Technifire’s Canning Vale headquarters.
A project advisory team of volunteer firefighters and Department of Fire and Emergency Services staff provided input into the design and specifications for the new 1.4 tankers and will be involved throughout the vehicle build and acceptance process.
The new 1.4 tankers will further enhance the primary rapid response of firefighters to bushfires with enhanced rural mobility and high manoeuvrability to access bushfires in different terrains.