28 Sep eThekwini adds 44m aerial rescue platform

eThekwini Municipality in South Africa has expanded its specialist firefighting fleet with the addition of a 44-metre Bronto F44RLX aerial rescue platform.

The vehicle was delivered by Fire Raiders, Bronto Skylift’s South African partner, as the municipality looks to strengthen its response capability across the metropolitan area, including Durban.

eThekwini encompasses a varied urban environment, with high-rise buildings, commercial and industrial sites alongside densely populated residential areas. The municipality says these conditions create a need for firefighting and rescue equipment capable of operating where access from ground level is restricted.

The F44RLX has a maximum working height of 44 metres and an outreach of up to 23 metres. Its aerial platform can be used for elevated firefighting as well as technical rescue operations, providing firefighters with access to areas that may otherwise be difficult to reach.

The appliance is also designed with below-ground reach and up-and-over capability, while its compact dimensions and height-to-weight ratio are intended to allow operation in areas where road or bridge load restrictions can limit access.

The new platform joins eThekwini’s existing specialist fleet. According to the municipality, the investment forms part of its efforts to strengthen emergency response and firefighter safety as the city manages the demands of a growing and increasingly complex urban environment.

“The safety of our residents remains our top priority,” said eThekwini Deputy Mayor Councillor Zandile Myeni, adding that the municipality would continue investing in infrastructure, technology and firefighter development to prepare for emergencies.

The platform is equipped with Bronto’s 5+ control system and a rescue cage designed for a high safe working load. Bronto Skylift and Fire Raiders will provide support for the appliance, with the manufacturer citing its service network and maintenance tools as part of the platform’s lifecycle support.

For eThekwini’s fire and rescue teams, the addition provides another option for operations involving elevated structures, technical rescues and incidents where conventional ground-based firefighting equipment cannot provide sufficient reach.