Member for Dubbo – and minister for emergency services – Troy Grant officially handed over the keys to the vehicle on Monday.

“This new tanker is a Mercedes Benz four-wheel drive vehicle that allows firefighters to access fires and other emergencies in difficult terrain,” he said.

“It has specialist equipment, including storage bins for hazardous materials, fully encapsulated suits, special tools for monitoring the atmosphere for chemicals and much more.

“The new HAZMAT tanker is equipped with a 2700-litre water tank, and has off-raid capability, including a water spray cabin protection system that can be operated to protect the crew during a bushfire.” 

Mudgee deputy captain, Craig Muscat, said that tanker was indeed utilised recently at the Sir Ivan bushfires in the Dunedoo region early this year.

Mr Grant added, “it will be a great regional resource and that will be well received by the community”.

“It operates out of Mudgee but covers a very large footprint of regional NSW,” he said.

“When they deal with HAZMAT incidents Fire and Rescue NSW staff enter some of the most dangerous situations possible, so it’s essential that they have the best equipment and resources.

“And we’re very happy that FRNSW have identified the priority of the area, outside of metropolitan area, to make sure that this type of sort of investment in resources are provided to the community to keep them safe.”

FRNSW Central West Zone commander, acting superintendent Brett Jackson, said that the vehicle will help fire and rescue officers at Mudgee Fire Station and across the district continue to do an extraordinary job protecting their community.

“I am pleased that this new HAZMAT tanker will help them perform their work more effectively,” he said.

“FRNSW continues to provide fire and rescue officers with the best equipment for their vital work in protecting NSW families.”