COLLABORATION between two government departments will see an all terrain Pinzgauer fire appliance used to increase protection and knowledge of the Manx uplands. An agreement has been reached between the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service and the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture to make available one of its six wheeled off road appliances to be deployed by the Forestry Directorate for a trial period of one year. DEFA staff will also embark on a project to map the Department’s forestry and upland estate using state of the art computerised mapping systems. This information could improve response times and improve access to locations that are hard to access in the event of an uncontrolled fire or other emergency. The Pinzgauer was officially handed over to DEFA at lunchtime today (Tuesday, October 5). Home Affairs Minister Adrian Earnshaw MHK commented: ‘Sharing our resources has brought a number of benefits to both organisations. Government has retained an asset and the Fire and Rescue Service benefits from training facilities that are being provided by DEFA. Joint working at an operational level between officers in both departments can bring huge benefits and we look forward to seeing the results of closer co-operation between the forestry staff and fire fighters.’ DEFA Minister John Shimmin MHK said: ‘The ranger service is pleased to have the opportunity to make use of a Pinzgauer six wheel-drive vehicle through collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs. ‘The vehicle will be of value in assisting with controlled burning of upland heath, a management technique used by DEFA and its tenants to promote regeneration of heather and other heathland vegetation. This controlled burning also helps to reduce the risk of uncontrolled wildfires by creating reliable firebreaks and reducing the fuel load of the heath.’ Whilst it is well known that the Manx uplands provide valuable habitats for important species of flora and fauna it is less well known that the fragile peat soils act as a huge carbon store. However, deep-seated wildfires, like the one at Bradda Head in 2003, can destroy the peat layer which in turn releases this stored carbon back into the atmosphere. By pooling resources and sharing knowledge, both Departments will be better placed to deal with certain emergency situations than at any time in the past. Chief Fire Officer Brian Draper commented: ‘The Pinzgauer transferred for use by DEFA had reached the end of its 15 year operational life within the Fire and Rescue Service. However, rather than simply disposing of a potential asset we now look at alternatives that can add to our resilience. This includes retention for specialist applications such as our Rope, Water Rescue and Hill Search Teams or for with dealing with wildfires during summer periods and instances of flooding during winter. For instance, three Pinzgauers attended the significant gorse fire adjacent to Peel Golf Club during TT week.’ Tim Crookall MHK, DEFA Member with responsibility for Forestry and previously a Member of the DHA, welcomed the transfer of the Pinzgauer. He said: ‘This agreement will not only allow access to a far greater area of the estate than conventional four-wheel drives or quad bikes, but will provide vital knowledge of where Pinzgauer access can be achieved. Such information will be invaluable in the event of an uncontrolled fire where other fire tenders are required at a specific location. ‘DEFA staff will also be able to advise and supply sustainable training sites for off-road driving as well as assisting with search and rescue exercises and emergencies. The close working relationship will also allow the vehicle and trained DEFA drivers to be utilised by the Fire and Rescue Service in the event of a large-scale emergency requiring co-ordination of all resources. It is envisaged that if such a situation arose DEFA drivers could be utilised to ferry water to remote sites thus freeing-up skilled fire fighters to do what they do best – to fight the fire. ‘The vehicle has a range of other capabilities. Its low impact, rugged terrain access ability will be ideal for transporting equipment to key points on DEFA’s 20,000 acre upland estate and also within its plantations. Other uses may include the ability to stock inaccessible stretches of rivers with juvenile salmon from the Department’s salmon hatchery in Laxey.’ The Pinzgauer was originally developed in Austria as a multi-use military vehicle and is highly praised for its ruggedness, high-mobility and all-terrain capability. The vehicles have been part of the Isle of Man Fire and Rescue Service fleet since May 1989 – when they purchased the first Pinzgauer in the world used for Fire and Rescue Service purposes. ENDS