Varley to deliver 60 new firefighting vehicles for NSW

Varley are proud to be supporting the continued renewal of New South Wales’ firefighting fleets, with 60 new emergency vehicles being delivered from their Tomago facility.

Work for the NSW Rural Fire Service fleet is set to commence following an order for 40 trucks, comprising 25 Category 7 tankers and 15 Category 1 tankers. The Category 1 tanker is one of the largest water-carrying fire trucks in the RFS fleet.

They are also delivering 20 vehicles for Fire and Rescue NSW, including pumpers and bushfire tankers.

Varley’s first firefighting vehicle was delivered in 2000. Since then, they have developed long-standing partnerships with Fire and Rescue NSW and the NSW Rural Fire Service, working closely with both organisations to deliver specialist vehicles designed for Australian conditions.

On Tuesday 27 October, Varley welcomed Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib, Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington, FRNSW Executive Director Operational and Strategic Services Kelly McFadyen and NSW RFS Deputy Commissioner Kelly Quandt to their Tomago facility.

The visit provided an opportunity to showcase Varley’s emergency vehicle manufacturing capability and the work of the local team. During the tour, guests inspected fire trucks progressing through the assembly line, including new Fire and Rescue NSW vehicles destined for Dungog and East Maitland.

“Every fire truck we manufacture at Tomago has a clear purpose: to support firefighters and help protect communities across NSW,” Varley Group CEO Vehicle Division Jeff Honniball said.

“These vehicles bring together the skill and experience of our local workforce with the operational knowledge of firefighting organisations.

“We are proud of our long-standing relationship with both Fire and Rescue NSW and the NSW Rural Fire Service, and of the contribution our people make to delivering modern, capable emergency vehicles here in the Hunter.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib acknowledged the importance of local manufacturing in supporting the state’s emergency services

“Manufacturing fire engines here in the Hunter supports local jobs and delivers the equipment our firefighters need to protect communities across NSW,” Minister Dib said.

“It’s appropriate that we work with local manufacturers like the Varley Group to help refine vehicle design and performance, ensuring our firefighters have appliances suited to the demanding Australian conditions they face.”

For more than 25 years, Varley has worked alongside firefighting organisations to understand their operational requirements and translate that knowledge into modern, capable emergency
vehicles.

This latest work continues Varley’s contribution to Australia’s emergency response capability and reflects the experience, technical knowledge and manufacturing expertise of their people
at Tomago.