The Forestry Department of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment has proceeded with the provisional acceptance of three (3) new state-of-the-art fire-fighting vehicles. The new fire trucks are equipped with high and low pressure fire pump and can carry 3.5 tons of water for fire fighting. They are capable of moving off-road and in fire lanes with steep terrain gradients. Their purchase cost amounts to EUR 1.2 million.
These new fire-fighting vehicles will be placed one in each of the three Forestry Regions: Paphos, Troodos and Nicosia. They will be used by the Special Forest Firefighting Team whose mobilisation will be based on the Lightning Plan in order to undertake the special and most difficult missions. With the appropriate additional equipment purchased, i.e. three blades and a snow blower, these fire trucks will be converted into snow plows and will be used during the winter months to clear the road surface of snow.
It is worth noting that one of the three new fire trucks has the ability to move its rudder (steering wheel) with all controls from the right side to the left side. This feature allows the operator to have a clear field of vision in case the snow being thrown blocks his visibility.
On Monday, January 17, 2022, a demonstration of the capabilities of these new fire/snow trucks, as well as basic training for the operators, was held by the supplying company at the Troodos National Forest Park.
On Monday, January 17, 2022, the capabilities of these new fire/snow trucks were demonstrated by the supplying company, as well as basic training for the operators, at the Troodos National Forest Park.
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