There to cut the tape wrapping the two tankers were (from left), Waitaki Rural Fire Unit's fire controller Tim Kitto and Kakanui's Bruce Thacker, with Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher.
The Otago authority, which came into existence on July 1 last year, handed over the two tankers to the two units in Oamaru yesterday before about 50 people.
They will replace the Waitaki tanker, located at Whitestone Contracting's Deborah yard, and Kakanui's, at its fire station, funded for similar amounts from the National Rural Fire Authority and the Waitaki District Council.
Both tankers were built in Clyde on two cab-chassis, a Hino for Kakanui and an Isuzu for Waitaki. Both are two wheel drive and Otago principal rural fire officer Stephanie Rotarangi said they offered the best balance between versatility and on-road performance.
They replace tankers that were judged to be beyond their use-by date.
The former Kakanui tanker will be refurbished and updated for the Waihemo rural fire unit, based in Palmerston.
