The new single line ground monitors can be set in place to allow the hoses to be directed towards a blaze without the need for two or three fire fighters to hold the hose.

The ground monitor would be particularly useful when there is a house fire where other houses are in close proximity they put them down to stop the radiant heat from spreading the fire.

Deputy Captain of the Dungog station, Andrew Viner, said crews had been trained in the new equipment last week.

“Because we have such a small number of firefighters and are a very long way from other help, it will be a great piece of equipment to have for the statio.,” he said.

“The hoses take a minimum of two to three firefighters to hold and it can get exhausting to hold for 10 minutes. This ground monitor means the firefighters can set up the hose and direct it where they want and then can then concentrate on other issues at the fire.”

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