Big is not always best when you are a fire engine, and the newest truck in town's smaller size will be one of its biggest assets.
The Wakari Volunteer Rural Fire Authority was handed the keys to its brand-new Isuzu 4WD medium appliance at a ceremony at its Dean St station this week.
Built to order and designed to fight vegetation fires, the appliance's high ground clearance, good traction and smaller size would make it a valuable asset for all of Dunedin's emergency services, principal rural fire officer Stephanie Rotarangi said.
The station already had a larger tanker appliance, while the city's urban fire appliances lacked the 4WD ability and the high ground clearance of the new truck, she said.
That meant the new appliance could go places other emergency services vehicles could not, and it would be used by all emergency services when needed.
''It's certainly the missing piece of equipment for this fire force and we're really happy to have it on the road,'' Dr Rotarangi said.
Wakari Volunteer Rural Fire Authority fire force controller Kevin Marsh said the purpose-built truck, which was delivered ''straight off the factory floor'' to the station, would make life much easier for the firefighters.
''It's actually fantastic knowing you've got a purpose-built truck, fit for purpose. Everything you need, it's all there. Everything you want,'' he said.
Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull told the assembled volunteer rural firefighters the delivery of the truck was more than a chance to celebrate a new vehicle.
''It's also about you guys. The longer I'm in this role, the more I realise the amount that gets done in this community by volunteers.
''You put yourselves in some extremely dangerous positions sometimes. Thank you. This service wouldn't be possible without you. And the whole community depends on it,'' he said.
The Isuzu vehicle came with a $170,000 price tag and was funded by the Dunedin City Council and the Otago Rural Fire Authority.
The station's volunteers also contributed some of their own money to help pay for the vehicle.
