Putting new fire engines to the test gives firefighters a blast

By JASON DOM
FIREMEN tested the pumps and hoses on the new fire engines which have been donated by China as they step up preparations for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Week in Port Moresby next month.
Boroko Fire Station Superintendent John Ape told The National that about 13 drivers had undergone training on how to use the new trucks. Nine were from Port Moresby and one each from Rabaul, Lae, Goroka and Mt Hagen.
“We are going through the engagement and disengagement of water pumps. A fire engine holds 9000 litres of water – about 6000 litres stored in the tank and 3000 litres of foam,” he said.
“We test the water pump to see its vulnerability, get the drivers to drive, check the flow of water, check the basic fire equipment to see all are in good condition.”
Ape said the new fire engines had ladders, monitors, pumps, 9000 litres of tank and other basic fire fighting equipment.
He said the new fire trucks were much easier to manage than the older ones donated by Australia and Japan. Chief Fire Officer Bill Roo told The National that the drivers were trying out the new fire engines to familiarise themselves with them – to make sure water is stored, pumps and tool checked before they attend to a fire.