Australian engine-powered pumps under evaluation by China's army

Australian designed and manufactured Davey Firefighter engine-powered pumps could shortly be established as the frontline firefighting resource of the Chinese Army, which holds national responsibility for emergency fire defence.

Davey Water Products has shipped a significant volume of its Firefighter pumps powered by a Honda petrol engine in an initial shipment to a local company based in Nanjing the capital of Jiangsu Province.

According to Warwick Prestwood, who is Davey’s Regional Manager for Asia–Pacific, the first shipment of pumps has arrived in China in the midst of the local winter.

“We are advised that as soon as seasonal conditions improve our pumps will undergo an extensive field evaluation phase to assess their role under local conditions," Prestwood said.

“However, we are advised that there are very few firefighting or pumping appliances in use by the Chinese Army which traditionally has had only manual resources for fire protection."

As part of its export effort, Davey Water Products has also agreed to supply an engine-powered pump training team and product specialists who will travel to Mongolia to assist with the army’s in-the-field requirements and to assess their needs as soon as the local Northern Hemisphere weather improves.

With the recent adverse fire conditions throughout Australia, Davey has recently moved to significantly increase its Firefighter production capacity at its Australian headquarters and manufacturing centre in Scoresby, Vic.

“We have had to temporarily suspend some shipments to our export customers when the domestic demand for Firefighters spiralled due to the bushfire experience and the risk to Australian households and farms," Prestwood said.

“An engine-powered fire pump at the ready is one of the most important fire protection or general water transfer solutions for farms, rural properties or small acreage holdings and community buildings."