Yeah, its good for them, but what about the rest that don't have huge bank accounts....what ever happened to everyone being equal now, isn't this a typical example of the old days pre-ESL where we have those with bucket loads of money getting top of the range gear, and those without getting the basic "what can be afforded" truck and some of us have to push you know what up hill to get even that !
I just find it outrageous that CFS allows brigades like Mt Barker, Millicent,Nuriootpa, Morphett Vale etc to get around in the bare basics, and less and then agree's to this very well specced pumper to be built for Burnside-----who essentially have nothing to speak of in their very small area, remember we can't use the MFS back up arguement, those of us that have worked on SFEC upgrades know full well about that !!
I am not having a go at Burnside at all, all the power to them for convincing the CFS to allow this, I just hope that this is not a once off, but for that kind of money, thats going to be the last and only one we see. Its not for lack of trying from some other brigades, but how the hell are we supposed to bargain when we don't have money to bargain with. If CFS offers you a Type 2 what are you suppose to say "no thanks, we don't want one, we are going to hold out for something better" again, if you have no money and the risk to need a pumper what are you suppose to do.
Ps: I am sorry if I offend anyone, but thats how I feel.