On Tuesday, April 22, at 12:00, at the territory of SIA “Scania Latvia”, Tīraines Street 13, Riga, the State Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) will receive the last 10 of 124 new Scania tanker trucks, thus significantly renewing the aging fleet of SFS specialized vehicles.
The event will be attended by Minister of Internal Affairs Rihards Kozlovskis, Chief of the SFRS Mārtiņš Baltmanis, as well as representatives of the SFRS departments in whose depots the new tanker trucks will be located.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Rihards Kozlovskis: "Over the past three years, the State Fire and Rescue Service has had the opportunity to significantly and purposefully renew its fleet of specialized vehicles, improving the service's response capabilities and the conditions for firefighters and rescuers. Such investments provide an invaluable contribution to both the safety of every resident of Latvia and the strengthening of overall security.”.
Chief of SFRS, Colonel Mārtiņš Baltmanis: “SCANIA tanker trucks are a modern and advanced vehicle that is particularly suited to the specifics of fire and rescue service duties. They allow firefighters to transport a wide range of equipment and to work fully in various conditions and events. Firefighters have highly appreciated the comfort and ergonomics offered by these vehicles. There is an indescribable difference between the ZIL tanker trucks, which we recently used to go on calls, and these Scania tanker trucks.”.
“Scania Latvia” CEO Aigars Pušinskis: “We are honored that SCANIA specialized vehicles are becoming an important part of the SFRS rescue and extinguishing operations. Powerful all-wheel drive tanker trucks, equipped with safety systems and high-quality equipment, will significantly facilitate the work of rescuers in any conditions. The spacious command cabins, designed for four or six rescuers, are designed according to the basic principles of ergonomics and are equipped with climate control systems, ensuring comfortable working conditions for rescuers.".
In total, within the framework of the contracts concluded with UAB “Probus Auto” and MOTO-TRUCK Sp. z o.o. SFRS received 124 tanker trucks manufactured on SCANIA chassis for more than 58 million EUR. Deliveries took place from 2023 to 2025. Taking into account the needs of SFRS and the location of structural units, various types of tanker trucks were received - 4x4 and 6x6 with four or six seats. All tanker trucks are fully equipped. After personnel training, they go on calls throughout Latvia.
According to the Cabinet of Ministers (Cabinet of Ministers) informative report “On proposals for priority measures of the state budget for 2023 and the budget framework for 2023–2025”, 23,070,823 euros were planned for the purchase of special fire-fighting and rescue vehicles in 2023, 78,188,135 euros in 2024, and 65,046,151 euros in 2025, which allows for the purchase of more than 500 new equipment units necessary for the performance of the functions of the SFRS from 2023 to 2026.
SCANIA tanker photos for publicity purposes. Photo credit: SCANIA https://failiem.lv/u/s89z4d69fw