4
NEWS
AFAC conference and the fight against bushfires
Isuzu will be showing off a truck called The Weapon and a new Compressed Air Foam fire-fighting system at this year's conferenceThe Australasian Fire and Emergency Services Authority Council (AFAC) will be holding this year’s conference, AFAC17, in Sydney at the International Convention Centre Sydney in Darling Harbour, from September 4 to 7.
Over 2500 emergency management professionals will converge to hear about the latest in bushfire and hazard research as well as visit the more than 160 exhibitors. Joining AFAC once again will be Isuzu Trucks and Isuzu Engines.
Appearing at AFAC will be keynote speakers and experts in their fields – presenting on such subjects as forecast and warning systems and the viability of prescribed burning – while the exhibitions will showcase fire extinguishing technology, protective equipment and of course vehicles and vehicle equipment.
Isuzu says it will be presenting two items at AFAC: a mobile fire-fighting truck, also known as ‘The Weapon’, and the Isuzu off-highway-engine powered Compressed Air Foam (CAF) system.
IAL’s National Sales Manager, Les Spaltman, said he is excited to be returning to AFAC again with these products.
“Isuzu is thrilled to be heading back to AFAC and it’s great to have something of such practical value to offer our vital fire and emergency services organisations,” Spaltman said.
“This year we’ll be showcasing a vehicle known as The Weapon, which has been engineered by Isuzu and Isuzu Engines and used by the New South Wales Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) to combat bushfires,” he said.
Developed to operate in challenging terrain, the foundation of The Weapon is a 2015 model FVZ 1400 6x4.
With a GVM of 26,000 kg and 221kW @ 2400rpm, 981Nm @ 1450 – 1450rpm, the FVZ 1400 6x4 has the power and manoeuvrability to deliver in the fire and emergency services sector.
But what helps make the vehicle a true weapon in the fight against bushfires is the CAF system. Developed by Isuzu Engines in conjunction with the RFS, the CAF system is a piece of specifically designed engineering.
Isuzu Engines’ Manager Industrial and Marine Engines, Dean Whitford, explains how it came about and how it works.
“The RFS was looking for a firefighting system that could pump a mix of fire-retardant foam and water from a tank, then through a cannon housed at the front of a truck. They had a 200hp pump but not an engine to match it.
“But matching a 200hp engine and a 200hp pump meant we’d run into size and weight issues, so we engineered a solution based on heat exchange to keep the engine cool,” said Mr Whitford.
The fire suppressing capacities of compressed air foam and water are more effective than water alone. But the foam is only effective if it can travel from the tank to the targeted area.
Isuzu’s 4HKI engine and the engineering solution offered by Isuzu Engines is proving a valuable tool for those in fire and emergency services.
To see how The Weapon and CAF system work, head to the Isuzu stand at AFAC17.
Share this article
Written byTrucksales Staff
See all articlesStay up to dateBecome a trucksales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox.
Subscribe todayRelated articles
Disclaimer
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Contact
Advertise with us
Local marketplaces
International marketplaces
Consent