Menindee's volunteer firefighters have received a vital new Category 1 tanker as part of the NSW Government's comprehensive bushfire preparedness program.

The Menindee Rural Fire Service Brigade officially welcomed their new firefighting appliance at a handover ceremony, marking another milestone in the state's $69 million investment in rural firefighting capabilities.

The new Category 1 tanker represents the backbone of NSW's rural firefighting fleet.

These heavy-duty 4x4 vehicles carry approximately 3,300 litres of water and are designed to transport a crew of six firefighters along with essential firefighting equipment.

Built for versatility, the Cat 1 is highly effective both off-road and as an urban and regional appliance, featuring heavy-duty galvanised steel head board for rollover protection and cabin crew spray protection systems.

The Menindee tanker is among 143 new firefighting vehicles delivered across NSW over the past year, with regional communities receiving priority following the devastating 2019-20 Black Summer fires.

The state-wide rollout has also seen 69 existing tankers refurbished with enhanced safety features including halo sprinkler systems, custom-fitted heat curtains, and upgraded electrical systems.

"These new trucks and technology upgrades will boost the protection of communities across the state," said NSW Premier Chris Minns. "We are providing our first responders with communications technology they can rely on when they need it most."

Beyond the new vehicles, the upgrade program includes cutting-edge Vehicle as a Node (VaaN) technology using Starlink satellites. This system will ensure RFS crews can maintain communication even in remote areas or when traditional infrastructure fails during emergencies.

The technology will also enable live video streaming from fire scenes to command centres, providing crucial real-time intelligence.

More than 5,000 RFS operational vehicles across the state will receive the communications upgrade over three years, representing one of the largest rural firefighting technology investments in Australian history.

The new tankers are being assembled locally at NSW facilities in Kirrawee, Minto, Tomago, and South Windsor, supporting local manufacturing while ensuring vehicles meet strict RFS specifications.

For the Menindee community, the new Category 1 tanker provides enhanced firefighting capability during what promises to be another challenging fire season.

The Bush Fire Danger Period for northern NSW commenced on August 1, with the statutory period for the entire state beginning October 1.

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib emphasised the importance of supporting rural brigades.

"We only need to think back to the Black Summer fires to understand how critical our volunteers and their firefighting appliances are, and we will continue to support them with the equipment they need," he said.

The investment in new equipment comes as rural communities prepare for another potentially dangerous fire season, with the enhanced communication systems and modern tankers providing both volunteers and communities greater confidence in their emergency response capabilities.