New $950k fire truck boosts Lambton crews as FRNSW warns on house fire risks

newy.com.au – Member for Wallsend Sonia Hornery has welcomed a new Fire and Rescue NSW truck valued at around $950,000 for the Lambton fire station, delivered ahead of summer as part of a wider fleet upgrade.

The truck is one of five new appliances being rolled out to stations in Lambton, Wentworthville, the City of Sydney, Bankstown and Ashfield, with Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) warning that the warmer months bring a higher risk of house fires and battery-related incidents. The delivery forms part of FRNSW’s annual fleet replacement program, which will see $29.5 million invested in new vehicles this financial year.

FRNSW says the new truck will bolster the capability of local firefighters at a time when more people are at home using heaters, decorations and electronic devices, all of which can increase the likelihood of fires. The service has responded to more than 3,300 house fires in 2025, which have resulted in 29 deaths and more than 360 injuries.

In nearly half of those house fires there was either no smoke alarm installed, or the alarm failed to activate when the fire broke out, according to FRNSW. The agency is again urging residents to check their alarms are working, saying a functioning detector provides the earliest and most effective warning and gives people the best chance to escape and call Triple Zero (000).

Hornery said the new appliance for Station 357 Lambton would help firefighters respond to increasingly challenging conditions across the Hunter and beyond. “I’m delighted to see a new fire truck being delivered to Fire & Rescue NSW Station 357 Lambton, as we’ve seen very recently with the Hexham Nature Reserve fire, last weeks wild storms and other events, our Firies deserve the best equipment,” she said.

She said the summer period placed extra pressure on frontline emergency service workers and called on the community to play its part. “This time of year presents difficult challenges for our frontline emergency service workers and it’s important that we all do our bit to make their lives easier,” Hornery said.

FRNSW is also highlighting the growing danger posed by lithium-ion batteries, which are widely used in devices such as e-bikes, scooters, tools and household electronics. The agency says it has recorded an increase in lithium-ion battery incidents year-on-year, and there have been 288 such incidents across NSW so far this year, leading to 52 injuries.

Residents are being urged to handle devices containing lithium-ion batteries with care, and to follow safe charging, storage and disposal practices to reduce the risk of fires, explosions and other hazards. FRNSW advises people not to leave devices charging unattended for long periods, particularly overnight, and to keep them away from flammable materials.

Hornery said simple actions such as checking smoke alarms, following safety advice on lithium-ion batteries and reporting any unmonitored fires to 000 on Total Fire Ban days could make a significant difference. “This includes checking our smoke alarms, following advice on lithium-ion batteries and reporting any unmonitored fires to 000 on Total Fire Ban days,” she said.

The new truck is now available to support Lambton firefighters as the bushfire and storm season develops, with FRNSW continuing its broader fleet replacement program and public safety campaigns over the months ahead.