An emergency air system that provides breathable air to the crews of fire fighting trucks when they are overwhelmed by bushfires has won a National Safety Award at the Safe Work Australia Awards in Canberra.

The project, by the by South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS), won the award for the 'Best Solution to an Identified Workplace Health and Safety Issue'.

CFS worked with both Wormald and Scott Health & Safety in the design of a major component of the Crew Protection System.

Toxic fumes

Arthur Tindall, CFS Manager Infrastructure and Logistics, said that while modern fire-fighting vehicles provide increased protection to their occupants from fire, materials used inside the cabin can potentially release toxic fumes under extreme heat conditions.

He said the Pro-Cab Emergency Air System is specifically designed for rural and regional fire brigades, to provide personal respiratory and flame protection for multiple users in hazardous conditions such as a vehicle burn-over.

Clean, breathable air

The emergency air system supplies one to seven users simultaneously with clean, breathable air, providing a safeguard from toxic gases. The system gives individuals protection from flames via flame-retardant air hoods, coupled with flame resistant supply hoses and pneumatics.

It is activated by simply turning on the cylinder valve for a constant flow of clean, breathable air individually supplied to each wearer.

Improves chances of survival

Tindall said the whole Crew Protection System, which incorporates a range of innovations, was developed to improve fire fighters' chances of survival when trapped in extremely dangerous bushfire conditions.

'On the wall of my office I have a photo of a burnt-out fire truck,' he said. 'Unfortunately five volunteer firefighters lost their lives on that truck whilst protecting the community. I leave the photo there as a daily reminder of my responsibility to volunteers, our unpaid workforce.

Bushfires 'like wild animals'

'Bushfires are somewhat like wild animals in so much that they are unpredictable and can bite without warning. The subject of the work that we have done is to give our volunteers one last chance when all else fails and we sincerely hope they never have to use it,' he said.

Keith Gillespie, National Product Manager, Wormald Life Safety & Rescue, said it had taken four years to get the system right.

The Pro-Cab Emergency Air System is manufactured by Scott Health and Safety, UK, and distributed in Australia through Wormald, a business unit of Tyco International's Fire and Security segment. Other applications for the Pro-Cab Emergency Air System include forestry, personnel carriers, underground mine escape, armoured vehicles and mining vehicles.