Under a NSW Government trial in place until March 31, private farm vehicles used for firefighting purposes - known as Farm Fire Units or Farm Fire Fighting Vehicles (FFFVs) – can be used unregistered under certain conditions.
NSW Farmers’ business economics and trade committee chair John Lowe said these out of season bush fires are burning out of control in the United States, and they’re “nothing if not a stark reminder of how fires here in NSW can get out of hand if we don’t have the right tools available locally”.
“Farm Fire Units play a key role in firefighting efforts in our rural communities, and a trial of these units will be key to ensuring we can find a permanent pathway to using these units legally and under the protection of third-party insurance,” he said.
“Stopping fires as quickly as we can is critical, and Farm Fire Units have been a proven cornerstone to fast bushfire control, year in, year out on-farm.”
“If you’ve got a vehicle that’s in a safe operating condition and has firefighting equipment permanently attached, then we strongly encourage you to nominate it for the trial as soon as possible.
“Farmers deserve to have as many tools in the toolbox available to fight fires safely and effectively, and this trial will take us one step closer to ensuring that.
“Preventing the devastation we’ve seen overseas and in our own country, in years not long past, is something we want to avoid at all costs.”
To nominate a vehicle for the trial, go to www.transport.nsw.gov.au/farm-fire-fighting-vehicle-nomination.
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