❓ Question regarding the structural integrity and GVM of DFES firefighting vehicles, specifically addressing upgrades and compliance. The response clarifies upgrade amounts and processes.
AnsweredQoN 4720Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the structural integrity of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) fire fighting vehicles with respect to allocated gross vehicle mass (GVM) and ask: (a) how many fire fighting appliances were identified as requiring a gross vehicle mass upgrade from 3,200kg to 3,500kg in order to carry the equipment required in an emergency; (b) how many of those vehicles have already had the suspension modified to operate with a GVM of 3,500kg; (c) how was the requirement for a GVM upgrade to new vehicles determined; (d) were the suspension modifications to DFES vehicles compliant to WA Department of Transport and Australian Design Rules safety requirements, and if not, why not; (e) were the GVM suspension upgrades to 3,500kg subject to tender process, and if not, why not; (f) if money is spent modifying new vehicles to achieve a GVM increase less than 300kg, do these GVM modifications represent good value for money; and (g) is a GVM increase of only 120kg enough for a fully loaded, emergency ready vehicle: (i) If no to (g), has this modification been a waste of money?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 February 2016
Responded by
Minister for Emergency Services
Response time
91 days
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) advises:
(a) 77 DFES appliances have been identified as requiring a GVM upgrade from 3,200 kg GVM to 3,700 kg GVM and not 3,500 kg GVM.
(b) 60 DFES appliances have had a GVM upgrade from 3,200 kg to 3,700 kg with the remaining 17 to be upgraded as part of the combined weight remediation and Crew Protection Project works.
(c) Fully equipped prototype appliances were weighed to determine operational weight requirements.
(d) Yes.
(e) No. GVM upgrades to 3,700 kg have been carried out under existing DFES appliance maintenance and appliance build contracts.
(f) Money is not being spent modifying new appliances to achieve a GVM increase less than 300 kg.
(g) There have been no GVM increases of only 120 kg.
(g)(i) Not applicable.
(a) 77 DFES appliances have been identified as requiring a GVM upgrade from 3,200 kg GVM to 3,700 kg GVM and not 3,500 kg GVM.
(b) 60 DFES appliances have had a GVM upgrade from 3,200 kg to 3,700 kg with the remaining 17 to be upgraded as part of the combined weight remediation and Crew Protection Project works.
(c) Fully equipped prototype appliances were weighed to determine operational weight requirements.
(d) Yes.
(e) No. GVM upgrades to 3,700 kg have been carried out under existing DFES appliance maintenance and appliance build contracts.
(f) Money is not being spent modifying new appliances to achieve a GVM increase less than 300 kg.
(g) There have been no GVM increases of only 120 kg.
(g)(i) Not applicable.
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