Mitsubishi's Triton is Fighting Fit for Emergency Services

CLOVELLY PARK, AUSTRALIA – September 16, 2009: Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited (MMAL) and Fire Rescue Safety Australia (FRSA) are joining forces to build a highly modified, more manoeuvrable and more versatile fire fighting vehicle. Mitsubishi’s Triton has been converted into the FRSA’s new Rapid Intervention Vehicle (RIV): a vehicle specifically built for quick response to a range of emergency situations.

Capable of being used in many industries such as emergency services, forestry, defense, aviation, oil and gas, coal and varying mining environments, these Tritons have been specifically developed and designed with occupant safety and environmental impact of paramount importance.

The RIV Triton will be used to suppress and control fires in extreme environments, where access for a larger vehicle is limited, such as the many mine sites across Australia. A small fleet of Tritons will be built to FRSA specifications with the first Triton RIV now completed built on the GLX dual cab platform.

The first specially-built fire-fighting Triton was fitted with a Frontline compressed air foam system (CAFS) in the tray of the vehicle, having the potential to discharge 4500 litres of finished foam from just 227 litres of water. Requiring no external power or motors, the Frontline CAFS unit runs from breathing air cylinders mounted within the frame of the foam system and ensures water usage in fighting fires is kept to a minimum.

With more RIV Tritons being planned for the future, FRSA will have a comprehensive fleet of vehicles which are able to respond to a myriad of emergency situations in an effective and timely manner.

Mr Wells from the FRSA expressed the importance of such a versatile vehicle.

“The need for a quick response unit such as the RIV is vital to companies who provide emergency response as part of their operational requirements. Traditional fire appliances in this class of vehicle have poor fire fighting capability and don’t have the versatility to carry five people to an incident scene. Further the RIV can be used for a variety of first responder tasks, tasks such as first aid, vehicle rescue, search and rescue and spill control” said Mr. Wells.

“With these new specially built Triton RIV’s, we anticipate faster response times to serious emergency situations,” he concluded.

Versatile, tough yet comfortable, and generously appointed; the Triton utility can turn its hand to almost anything. Its bold, powerful styling ensures it stands out on the road, while its impressive list of safety features and high-quality build make it strong and reliable.

Standard safety specifications include Mitsubishi’s RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) body system with front crumple zones to absorb collision energy as well as reinforced supports, including side intrusion bars, to further protect the vehicle’s occupants. Dual front driver SRS airbags, ABS braking system with Electronic Brake Force Distribution and seatbelt pre-tensioners are also standard on all 2.5 litre diesel variants.

MMAL Head of Fleet and Used Vehicles, Iaen Paul, is delighted to see such successful collaboration in the design of a purpose-built vehicle for use in emergency situations.

“Not only were Mitsubishi involved with FRSA in the construction of this vehicle, we also partnered with Zupps Mt Gravatt for their extensive knowledge and experience of ROPS (Roll Over Protection Systems). Together we have produced what would have to be, one of the safest, most capable, mass delivery RIV (Rapid Intervention Vehicles) ever produced. This highly specified ‘hero’ of a vehicle will fulfil its job description, that I am sure,” said Mr Paul.

The Triton is covered by Mitsubishi’s 10 year / 160,000 km non-transferrable drive-train warranty, five year / 130,000 km new vehicle warranty and five year roadside assist as standard, and is available from over 200 dealerships Australia-wide