The suspected fire in the local newspaper office turned out to be only an electrical fault, but station officer Mark Savage said it was a good initial introduction.

It was much faster than the 16-year-old engine it replaced, “especially up the hills of Inverell”, the cabin was larger and more comfortable, and it had the latest in equipment and technology.

Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall and Inverell Shire mayor Paul Harmon joined firefighters at the station for the handover of the $310,000 truck.

“The statewide fleet is made up of more than 650 fire engines and rescue vehicles across NSW and the priority is to ensure that firefighters have the best vehicles available to them, to enable them to do their jobs effectively and safely,” Mr Marshall said.

“This new pumper will help Inverell firefighters better protect the Inverell community and will help improve the overall quality of their emergency response.”

It won’t be long before the vehicle’s back out on the road either, with the Inverell station responding to more than 220 callouts last year.