Nelson Airport’s new $1.4 million Rosenbauer Panther fire truck is on its way to New Zealand from Austria – and the airport wants help from the community to name the state of the art firefighting vehicle.
The new fire truck will be operated by the Nelson Airport Rescue Fire Service, which provides and maintains rescue and firefighting capability at the airport and carries out a wide range of airfield responsibilities to maintain the safety and security of the airport environment.
Nelson Airport Safety and Sustainability Manager James Middlewick says the Rescue Fire team provides a vital service to the travelling public and local aviation community and is keen for the public to help personalise its new arrival.
“The Rosenbauer Panther is an impressive piece of equipment – it has a 700 horsepower Volvo engine, a cannon that can throw water up to 80 metres and it can blast 6500 litres of water per minute. In the event of an emergency our firefighters need to react extremely quickly and it’s important they have the best equipment available to allow them to do that. Their existing fire truck, which sadly has remained nameless, has provided good service but is now due for replacement.”
James says the truck is due to arrive in Nelson in mid-late October. To mark its arrival, the airport is seeking name suggestions.
“I’m excited to see what people come up with. Once entries close, the suggestions will go to an invited judging panel, which will make a final decision.”
The winner of the naming competition will be invited to take a ride in the new fire truck and will receive a framed photograph of the experience, a $100 Prezzy card and a $50 voucher for Sublime Coffee at the airport.
Entries are open until Wednesday 7 September. All the information, including terms and conditions, are available at nelsonairport.co.nz/name-the-truck.