Hutt Valley Fire Police currently operate two vehicles:

Rimutaka 4926

Our main vehicle is Rimutaka 4926 – a Nissan Urvan. A member of the duty crew will respond to Rimutaka and uplift this vehicle if we are paged to respond to an incident. 4926 can respond with a driver plus 4 members as crew if required, and acts as a Fire Police command point when on the scene. It carries personal radio equipment for issue to Fire Police personnel at the scene of an incident, and other resources, including lighting, refreshments and road cones. It is rarely responded without the towed lighting plant - see below.

Rimutaka 4928

Until 2007 the Region 'Tip Truck' utility vehicle, this vehicles had its callsign confirmed, its LMR configured, and was provided to HVFP as a full-time resource. Prior to that, we were able to use the vehicle when it was available, since 2005. 4928 is equipped with a subset of equipment similar to that found on 4926 (less the towed lighting plant, but plus a portable genset) and is responded as an additional asset to most HVFP callouts. This is of particular value at larger events or in the event of a second simultaneous activation. The Unit is very grateful for the access to a second vehicle; it can carry Driver Plus 1 and a variety of cargo configurations, making it a useful logistical resource.

Lighting Plant and Generator

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We also operate a substantial Diesel powered Generator (usually towed by 4926) with High powered Halogen Lighting Equipment. As a regional lighting resource we are regularly called upon to light up emergency scenes such as serious Motor Vehicle Accidents and suspicious fires; we may also be called upon to provide a portable emergency power supply. As shown, the Trailer has also been modified to allow us to carry a large number of large traffic cones - for this reason we rarely respond without it.

Private Vehicles

It is also likely that if you see us in operation at an incident, you will see one or more of our private vehicles with a beacon fitted. Hutt Vallely Fire Police members other than the duty driver(s) are authorised to respond directly to incidents in their private vehicles. Often for reasons of safety members will use their own vehicles and equipment as warning devices at an incident, through the deployment of road cones and temporary beacons. The use of a temporary beacon is permitted in law, but only at the scene - the beacon is only deployed within the incident environs.

Members responding in their private vehicles do not have traffic priveledges and cannot respond to an incident under lights or sirens. However, within the immediate vicinity of an incident, the beacon can provide a means to warn people already in attendance of their approach, as well as warning members of the public that they are approaching an emergency scene.

This is likewise the role of our NZFS vehicles and their permanent beacons. The sirens on 4926 and 4928 (if fitted) are not utilised; the beacons only used in immediate proximity to an incident for safety reasons.

It should be noted that Fire Police generally receive no compensation for the use of their private vehicles on Fire Service business.