Santiago, Chile – The Santiago Fire Department has marked a significant milestone in emergency response and electric mobility by unveiling the Rosenbauer RTX, the first electric fire truck in Chile and Latin America. This innovative vehicle, manufactured in Austria, represents a major step towards modernizing the region's emergency services.
The Rosenbauer RTX, which arrived in Chile via the Port of Zeebrugge in Belgium, is equipped with a four-wheel-drive system and boasts exceptional maneuverability, featuring a turning radius 50% smaller than conventional fire trucks. Its powerful pump can discharge up to 5,600 liters of water per minute, ensuring effective firefighting capabilities. The Santiago Fire Department has implemented specialized training and education programs to ensure the effective operation of this advanced technology.
The introduction of this electric fire truck aligns with Chile's commitment to combatting climate change. Juan Carlos Muñoz, Chile's Minister of Transportation, emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change and highlighted the government's goals of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 and transitioning to all-electric new vehicle sales by 2035.
This achievement was made possible through a collaborative effort involving the Santiago Fire Department, SQM Litio, and Copec. Gabriel Huerta, Superintendent of the Santiago Fire Department, stated, "With 161 years of history, the Santiago Fire Department has always been at the forefront of emergency response, evolving to meet the needs of society. Now, we are fulfilling our commitment to a cleaner, more sustainable future by introducing this electric fire truck."
Chile has been actively promoting electric mobility, particularly in public transportation. Santiago currently operates approximately 2,500 electric buses, with dozens more in other major cities like Coquimbo, La Serena, and Valparaíso. The introduction of the electric fire truck expands the adoption of environmentally friendly technology to the public sector, specifically in emergency services.
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