This new Sprinter cost over £100, 000. It has three laptop computers and mobile phone and internet connectivity. It possesses the ability to link directly with the Police helicopter to display live images and photos on internal and external TV screens. Hi-tec mapping software can display Ordnance Survey maps as well as localized maps with fire crews, appliances and equipment locations overlayed.
Not only externally, but internally it bears little resemblance to the 20 year-old ERF (picture 6002) that this vehicle replaces, which is basically a van containing white boards, magic markers, walkie-talkies and a phone.
A note of interest, I followed this vehicle from Stafford to Cannock the other night, a fire in an industrial building was where it ended up! Unfortunately I had no camera with me to photograph the appliances there - everything from the ALP and EPU from Burton to Scanias from pretty much everywhere!
Added by David Sapsford on 24 September 2008.