Droppie [infosec] 🐨
given this report makes several references to apparent noise problems with this truck, & given it's supposedly electric-powered not ICE, i am typically bigly of the irrits this silly journo avoided providing any info to help us understand why & how an EV could be so "loud". i mean, wotta obvious question readers will have, ffs --- totes unrequited.
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'The truck is crap': Firies have 'no faith' in hybrid EV truck
A firefighter says they have no faith in a "crap" $1.6 million electric fire truck the fire union says poses "safety concerns" like excessive noise and a lack of airbags or other protection in case of a crash.
Emails released to Canberra Liberals deputy leader Deborah Morris earlier this month revealed the truck likely spent a maximum of 12 weeks operational and on the road.
The embattled RT Pumper remained off the road last week as ACT Fire and Rescue waited for seatbelt certification, Emergency Services Minister Marisa Paterson told the ACT Legislative Assembly.
Dr Paterson and ACT Emergency Services Agency Assistant Commissioner Glenn Brewer have said the truck is liked by firefighters due to its ergonomic benefits.
However, one ACT Fire and Rescue firefighter, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told The Canberra Times "no one wants to tell the minister or the new chief officer to their face the truck is crap".
"Most of us have no faith in the truck to perform the job it needs to do because it is off the road so often," they said.
"For the price of the EV [electric vehicle] we could have at least an additional two trucks."
The firefighter said "the ergonomic design and layout of the lockers where all of our gear is kept is great [but] that is it".
Firefighters have missed critical directions or instructions because the truck is so loud, and are concerned they could be seriously injured in an accident.
"On our way to a fire call you can't hear each other speak in the back of the truck," the firefighter said.
"Firefighters have resorted to using online apps to measure the noise levels.
"The sideway facing seats make you feel sick when responding.
"While sitting sideways in the back, if the truck was to brake suddenly or be in a front-on collision firefighters' heads are likely going to smash into hard objects.
"There are no airbags or protection from the impacts."
A United Firefighters Union spokesperson said "the longer the vehicle is in service the less firefighters support it and are confident it can do the job".
"We have been made aware of a growing number of complaints regarding the vehicle, including safety concerns relating to seating arrangements, seat belts and excessive noise levels in the cabin," they said.
"Firefighters have expended a lot of goodwill supporting the HEFT [hybrid electric fire truck] concept and evaluating its operational viability. As it continues to be plagued by problems that goodwill is fast running out."
A spokesperson for Emergency Services Agency ACT said they were not aware of any communication issues regarding the electric fire truck, the use of rope to secure equipment or firefighters feeling unwell due to sideways facing seats.
"These matters have not been raised through established internal reporting channels and therefore have not been formally investigated. Any concerns from firefighters are encouraged to be reported through the appropriate processes," they said.
They also said the truck "meets all federal and ACT regulatory and safety standards" and "as the first appliance of its kind in Australia, it was required to undergo a comprehensive certification process before being approved for operational use".
Emails released through freedom of information show emergency services ACT mechanics complaining about the service from manufacturer Rosenbauer.
Rosenbauer said the truck was the first of its kind in the southern hemisphere.
"ACT Fire and Rescue was a very early adopter of completely new technology for the fire and rescue services," a spokesperson said.
"Considering the massive change in technology, it unfortunately took longer than expected to establish a fully trained team of technicians [within] the country.
"To bridge the initial gap, we have frequently flown in factory technicians to support the local team.
"Due to time difference and travel distance, ACT Fire and Rescue may not have been always satisfied with the response, but Rosenbauer has stood behind its products and supports its customers for 160 years.
"Many innovations within this vehicle represent distinct improvements over conventional fire trucks."
An ACT government spokesperson said replacing the vehicle would have taken at least 18 months, a much longer time than possibly repairing issues that will be covered by warranty until December 2026.
"ACT Fire and Rescue vehicles require highly specialised specifications. Replacing the vehicle would mean restarting the design and build process, which would typically take at least 18 months," a government spokesperson said.
The truck was not tested in Australia, but the government said faults were not related to local conditions, so overseas testing was adequate.
"The introduction of any new technology, electric or otherwise, comes with inherent risks. These are mitigated through contractual arrangements, including warranty periods," the spokesperson said.
"While this was the first electric fire truck in Australia, the use of Rosenbauer electric vehicles of this type is common overseas. The adaption for Australian conditions has not been the cause of issues with the vehicle and ACT ESA has worked with the manufacturer to address faults."
The government remains "proud to have led the nation as the first jurisdiction in Australia to commence the transition to electric emergency vehicles".
"This bold step reflects our commitment to health and wellbeing, innovation, sustainability, and meeting the ACT government's emissions reduction targets," a spokesperson said.
The Canberra Times previously reported the truck had cost at least $2 million based on a February email from an emergency services mechanic, which said:
"We have spent more than $2M on just this vehicle alone and we accepted the risks involved in having a 'first of its kind' electric fire truck in Australia with no Australian testing completed before purchase."
In another email chain, emergency services requested Rosenbauer cover $297,972.56 worth of faults through warranty.
Dr Paterson and the government spokesperson said the truck had only cost $1.6 million and the reporting was misleading.
"All vehicle faults since May 2023 have been repaired at Rosenbauer's expense. Media reports that imply an additional $297,972.56 has been spent on the truck are not true," the spokesperson said.
"The figure quoted in a recent Canberra Times article is in reference to a common parts quote from Rosenbauer to ESA for information purposes only, not an amount accepted or paid by the ESA."
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