Go with the Flo: Bathurst innovation is helping fight the fires

The Rapid Relief Team has been on the ground in the Wolgan Valley this week supporting firefighters battling the battling the western flank of the Gospers Mountain.

The team is staffed by members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church.

The RRT's own $450,000 rapid water system can pump water from inaccessible storages and make it readily available to emergency services from a central staging location.

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The RRT's specialist teams can helicopter, crane or tractor a pump to the water source and pump up to 75,000 litres of water at a time into a specialised tank in 10 minutes.

The system was developed by Tru-Flo Pumping Systems in Bathurst and has dramatically cut the time it takes to refill firefighters' water tanks when on the frontline.

"This system has been engineered to provide over 100 litres a second into a 70,000L storage tank," Tru-Flo's Gavin Allbut said.

"From this 70,000L tank we can fill into water carts at 150 litres per second so we can fill small mobile firefighting equipment in just over a minute.

"It's a fully automatic system that I can start from a fob in my hand and the pumps are positioned nearly two kilometres away so we can move water fast.

"We can get water from difficult locations right up close to where the firefighters need it and we can bring trucks into this location easily where they can top-up fast.

"They don't have to go through difficult terrain to access the water; they can pull in here, load fast and be back on the fire front in a few moments."

The Rapid Water System (video credit: Rapid Relief Team) ...

RRT chairman Ron Arkcoll said members of his organisation had been humbled to be able to support frontline "hero" firefighters.

RRT crews have also been providing meals for volunteer and paid firefighters and pilots in the fire zone.

"RRT saw a need and wanted to help where we could," Mr Arkcoll said.

"We knew our Rapid Water System could help make inaccessible water sources accessible for firefighters who needed water - and fast.

"We're very proud of the innovation and technology used to assist in accessing vital water supply - in particular for those crews fighting the western flank of the Gospers Mountain blaze.

"Whatever we can do to help, from delivering water to the aerial fleet, to putting on a barbecue and a well-earned meal for the firefighters and volunteers, we will be there.

"As Christians, our values of care and compassion is what motivates us which is why we want to support our mates on the fire ground."