The Emergency Services Minister says it is "difficult to predict" when a $2.2 million aerial firefighting lift that was damaged by a worker from the manufacturer in September will return to service in Canberra.
The 42-metre aerial firefighting appliance was damaged by a worker from the manufacturer, Rosenbauer, during routine testing at the Emergency Services Agency's Fairbairn workshops in late September 2023.
Emergency Services Minister Mick Gentleman has told budget estimates the damage required a salvage process to remove the aerial superstructure so it could be returned to the factory in Italy for repairs.
"The vehicle is currently in the factory in Italy for these repairs to be completed," Mr Gentleman said in response to a question on notice.
"The ESA intends to send officers to Italy later in the year to conduct factory acceptance testing. This is critical to identify any defects or faults through a robust structured test regime before the vehicle is sent back to Australia.
"This also allows for compliance checks against the contract and agreed specifications so that any issues can be rectified prior to shipment."
Mr Gentleman could not say when the appliance would return to service in the ACT because it would depend on the repairs being completed, successful factory acceptance testing and a new commissioning process when the vehicle arrived back in Australia.
"The back-up aerial (Bronto) is currently in operations, with the cost of service and repairs being covered by Rosenbauer," he said.
The Bronto faced significant criticism for its reliability and availability. Between July 1, 2017 and the end of February 2019, the Bronto was out of commission for 16 per cent of the time.
Mr Gentleman in May 2019 said the Rosenbauer lift would provide "our firefighters with a more reliable appliance to fight fires in our town centres and suburbs".
The Rosenbauer 42-metre aerial appliance can support up to five people in a rescue cage at the end of its hydraulic arm. It entered service in the ACT in 2020, and cost $2.2 million.
Rosenbauer also manufactured the hybrid electric fire truck purchased by the ACT government, the procurement of which was the subject of a critical audit.
United Firefighters Union ACT secretary Greg McConville said when the appliance was damaged firefighters would have fewer options when responding to incidents in the territory.
"This does create a capability gap," Mr McConville said at the time.
