At its 23 July meeting, SESVA Management Committee members received an update from AC Sutton, DFES Asset Management, and Supt. Ryan Murray, Asset Design and Fleet Delivery.

Later this year both AC Sutton and Supt Ryan will travel through the Pilbara and Kimberley regions to meet with various units and regional offices to hear directly from staff and volunteers about operational needs and challenges.

Several issues were raised for follow-up with a response being received within two working days; see below:

Snorkel Decision for Isuzu D-Max

Following careful review, DFES has confirmed that snorkels will not be fitted to the Isuzu D-Max fleet. While snorkels remain popular on private 4WDs, the decision was based on manufacturer specifications, vehicle safety, and operational
boundaries.

The factory maximum wading depth for the Isuzu D-Max is 800 mm. Fitting a snorkel raises the air intake but does not protect electrical components, the alternator, door seals, or differential breathers. Water deeper than 800 mm can still cause electrical failure or cause the vehicle to float and lose traction. A snorkel provides some protection against a sudden wave over the bonnet; however, it does not safely allow operations beyond the manufacturer’s limit. Exceeding this threshold introduces unnecessary risk to crew safety and equipment.

The original supported specifications for these vehicles were a minimum of 350 mm fording depth for the GRU and 400 mm for the GRT — the parameters on which the vehicles were designed and built.

Sidestep Configuration on the GRU

The entry height for the D-Max GRU is 540 mm, compared with 640 mm on the LT. This is considered a manageable step-in height for volunteers. Dedicated steps have also been incorporated between the chassis and POD to assist with safe access to the roof rack.

Given the lower baseline sill height of the D-Max platform, the current setup is considered to strike the right balance between ease of access and ground clearance. Feedback on this matter will remain on file for ongoing review.

SES Bus Fleet – 2WD/AWD/4WD Considerations

The current SES bus is the Toyota HiAce Commuter Bus (2WD). With reduced seating in the troop carrier to GRU transition, the bus is intended to support SES capacity for moving personnel.

An analysis of 12,391 SES vehicle movements recorded in OIS data between 1 July 2018 and 30 June 2023 showed that 4WD capability was used on only 271 occasions (2.19%). This indicates a limited overall need for 4×4 capability across the SES. However, seven units recorded 4WD usage exceeding 10% of their travel time: Esperance, Margaret River, Exmouth, Collie, Meekatharra, Denmark, and Derby. Capability requirements for these units will be reviewed based on their specific operational needs.

Other Fleet and Equipment Updates

Flat Bed Ute: This option will be considered as part of the Future Fleet review.

Flood Boat PPC Review: The Operational Response Directorate (ORD) is currently reviewing Flood Boat Personal Protective Clothing and Equipment (PPC/E). The review will examine DFES doctrine and training requirements, current DFES-supplied items, equipment not provided, and items purchased ad hoc by units. A jurisdictional comparison, including tropical conditions in Far North Queensland and cold-weather conditions in Victoria, will also be undertaken.

SES Canine Trailer: The unit has been waiting to learn when their damaged trailer is to be replaced. This is waiting for an Insurance claim to be completed by the unit to fund the repair. The SE region is following up.