Vehicles to the rescue

WHILE driving down Spencer Street in Gatton the Star noticed a new machine at Geoff Udy Motorsports.

Store owner, Geoff explained that it is was very much a concept vehicle at this stage and went on to explain his vision for its utilization as a general emergency search-rescue and rural fire operations ultra light extreme cross country vehicle.

Geoff’s 20 years of volunteer rural fire experience as an officer in Ravensbourne brigade along with his 40 years of experience in the motorcycle industry mixed with his off-road racing puts him in a strong position to select the best vehicle and modifications to create a machine compact enough to traverse most terrain and tracks which prohibit the current range of 4WD ambulance and rural fire fighting vehicles.

The modified Yamaha Rhino fuel injected 700cc auto employs 2WD/4WD-high-low ratios including diff lock and reverse which enables it to traverse up to 70km/hr on established roads and tracks down to crawling pace, up to 45 degree incline/decline capabilities whilst carrying two persons in belted bucket seats protected by ROPS approved rollover protection plus up to 200kg of equipment in the rear tipping tray.

Structurally the Rhino is capable of carrying considerably more and in a dire emergency could transport up to six persons to safety, however the extra load does compromise cross country handling and requires advanced 4WD and terrain reading experience from the operator.

Yamaha Motor Australia has supported Geoff’s project enthusiastically and Phil Peters of Shallowwater Industries, Ipswich, fabricated the alloy checker plate roof. Geoff and his number one officer, Peter Ralph, combined their experience with the alert lighting-winch and general set up.

The Rhino was recently trialled assisting a rescue exercise transporting personnel and equipment into Crows Nest Falls where a swimmer required rescuing. The patient was retrieved to the QAS ambulance in less than one hour, greatly reducing life saving time and QAS-QFRS personnel energies which has been a real concern in past rescues.

Geoff has registered his machine and experience with QAS in Gatton, Toowoomba and Crows Nest and hopes to assist in greatly reducing location and rescue time and damage to inappropriate vehicles which has plagued these many in the past.

Bruce Ehrlich of QFRS in Toowoomba is aware of the Rhino’s abilities and has indicated enthusiasm towards it’ future in rural fire operations.

Geoff’s utilisation of decked quads and motorcycles started in the early 1990s and has been credited with saving many months of brigade crew time.

The Rhino represents the culmination of these experiences and utilisation of 21st century tools to reduce expense and fatigue and increase brigade effectiveness against the ever increasing concerns of residential integration into forested areas.

Geoff believes up to five Rhinos equipped can be available with the ability to legally transport 10 personnel and up to 500L of water as ultra light attack and reconnaissance vehicles for the price of one light attack Nissan Patrol with 600L water capacity and only two persons recommended loading.

GPS mapping, on board computers and modern yard care tools can greatly reduce human fatigue and risk whilst increasing sheer effectiveness.

Geoff has many case histories to relate to back up his claims and is very frustrated by pace and protocol that is hobbling this essential emergency service. Beaurocracy and protocol has a place but it shouldn’t be at the expense of response and effect.

Geoff has been known to state that most fires start as a mere spark.

“Response is the enemy of fire - inappropriate protocol and equipment is the enemy of response,” he said.