Vehicle: Water Tanker 2009 Volvo FM 480, Fire and Emergency New Zealand
Colour: Bright yellow with logos
Weight: When fully loaded, 24,000kg
Mileage: About 1.258 million km
Comments from: Firefighter Sheldon McLean
From: Wallacetown Volunteer Fire Brigade
Owner: Fire and Emergency New Zealand
When and why was it bought? It was commissioned on July 1, 2017
What is the vehicle’s history? It is a “retired” milk tanker, and came from Fonterra at a discounted price. Fonterra annually provides three older milk tankers at a discounted price to local volunteer fire brigades
Has it been altered in any way? It was reconfigured by Southern Rural Fire with help from the Wallacetown Fire Brigade. The truck has been specifically designed for rural firefighting and includes a purpose-built 14,000-litre capacity water tank, added locker space for equipment storage and high-volume pumping units on the back of the truck which allows firefighters to run water hoses over large distances. The water tank was built similar to other rural tankers, but because of its size it was made on a bigger scale so it could remain at a fire site longer before it needed to go away and refill
What’s its purpose? The tanker covers up to seven other brigades, supplying water. Although the water tanker was designed for rural firefighting and is based at the Wallacetown Volunteer Fire Brigade station, it is also used for backing up urban firefighters, especially when large qualities of water were needed
Other stats: It is the second busiest tanker in Southland, behind Invercargill. But this tanker can carry the largest volume of water
Where do you fill it up with water? Through the Alliance Group (Lorneville meat plant), 
which has been very supportive, or at any hydrant in Invercargill
What other vehicles of note has the brigade owned? This water tanker replaced a 20-year-old, six-wheeler Mitsubishi, with a 8000-litre water tank capacity
Best music to drive to? Lights and siren
Describe your driving style: Safe and effective
What’s it like to drive? Smooth
Top speed? 90km/h
How long ago did you join the brigade? 15 years
Why did you join? I had just moved to Wallacetown… to be a part of the community
What is the best aspect of being a volunteer? Being able to assist people in their hour of need
What is the worst aspect? Attending a fatal accident
How many volunteers are at the Wallacetown Volunteer Fire Brigade? 21
What would be the ideal amount of volunteers? As we can be on-call 24/7, at least 25
