Fire Engines Photos

what is a restricted access vehicle ?

Added by Luc Galloway on 20 June 2010.

What happened to the unimog? anyone know it's fate?

Added by Richard Whiting on 20 June 2010.

What kind of crew and kit do these carry? Are they similar to the "minor alarm units" in use in France, Germany and Belgium, which are used to save manpower and fully-equipped units from responding to minor special service calls, or are they actually used for firefighting on a modest scale? This one is certainly not short of blue strobe lights!

Added by Rob Johnson on 20 June 2010.

The Unimog, last time I saw it, about 2 months ago, was sat in the yard at brigade workshops awaiting disposal. It was an ill fated machine. Started life at Stourport, replacing their lovely 6 wheel Land Rover V8, which can also be seen elsewhere on this site. The Unimog, shall we say suffered from stability problems and promptly decided to turn over whilst turning out one day. Crew from Stourport were ok but this happened at low speed at a junction. The Unimog went to workshops had a refit and ended up at the newly built Peterchurch station. The other restricted access vehicle that went to Whitchurch replaced an old Ford Transit, this was also sat outside workshops with the Unimog awaiting disposal.

Added by Matt Ireland on 21 June 2010.

Hi guys,the RAV's are based at stations where the surrouding lanes are not accessible to full size pumps. They are equiped with everything required for a 'first strike' vehicle including BA sets, they're also equiped with the latest CAFS system. I was at the Stockton show on Saturday 26th June and the Ford Transit (H592 TUY) from Whitchurch, which one of these Mercs replaced was there. Its waiting for restoration, have photo which will put on site soon. The Unimog, which the other Merc replaced at Peterchurch, is definitely still at brigade workshops.

Added by Matt Ireland on 29 June 2010.

Very sensible. It is quite surprising how much fire you can deal with, using a skid-mounted self-contained CAFS system. No need for a pump operator, and one person can easily handle the line. There is life in the concept of a one person fire brigade!

Added by Rob Johnson on 30 June 2010.

Rob

Sorry to disagree with you but there is no place in the UK for your concept !

Added by Rick Loudon on 01 July 2010.

Rob and Rick, please don't get confused over this vehicles role. Remember the two in herefored and Worcester are RIV's(Restricted Access Vehicles). I think you might be getting them mixed up with the TRV's(Targeted Response Vehicles)that some brigades are operating. These RIV's don't go out with a crew of three to secondary fires. They are five person crew to deal with any fire where access by full size appliance is difficult and would result in a delay in attendance time. It would always be supplemented by a normal pump where necessary. Unfortunately the TRV's that are around are increasing in numbers and next it will be two people in a fast car similar to paramedic first responders! I think they call it modernisation!!

Added by Matt Ireland on 01 July 2010.

Not my concept. Minor alarm responder vans are just a way of making best use of full time fire fighters in major cities in various countries. Some of these brigades get three or four special service calls for every fire, and they are using these units wih a two person crew to attend all automatic fire alarms, which rarely involve an actual fire, and to road traffic accidents, which also rarely need extrication, lifting or winching.
Speaking of fast cars, Dubai actually runs a Chevrolet Corvette, which has a two man crew and hardly any room for any equipment at all! Get there fast and then do nothing?

Added by Rob Johnson on 01 July 2010.

Lets muddy the waters again. We run TRVs which respond to secondary fires with a crew of 2! They are dual-crewed with other specials and also happen to be 4 wheel drive, hence adding further confusion to the notion of "restricted access". They carry high pressure fogging equipment which may be used at fell, forest or wildfires, but are primarily to free up the full size appliances for responding to primary fires, RTCs etc. Money-saving flexible response?

Added by Mick Clark on 01 July 2010.

Hi guys I used to manage one of the stations where these RAVs are and just to confirm they are used for restricted access incidents only, on their own ground, or support eachother at incidents in restricted areas. They cannot turn out with less than 4 crew and are always supported by a regular type B appliance. They are also mobilised to 4 pump incidents as a matter of course for incidents in Herefordshire for their CAFS capibilities, or anywhere within the 2 counties as a specific request. Any further info required please let me know

Added by Neil on 24 November 2010.

Neil.

This is an interesting concept. Looking at the size of the unit, it cannot carry much water and/or firefighting equipment, and I should be interested to know what kinds of kit they do in fact bring with them.

Added by Rob Johnson on 28 November 2010.

The appliance is designed as a first strike appliance for rural areas with restricted access.As mentioned before, it always has a standard appliance as support. It carries 450-500litres of water but is fitted with a Scmitz one-seven CAFS system which gives the potential of approx 3500litres of finished media. It carries 1 HRJ, 4BA sets, lighting, small gear, water crew savers, minimum working at height equipment, dewalt saw, trauma pack, tool box, personnel welfare equip, short extension ladder, 2 lenghths of 45mm and hydrant equip.

Added by N lilwall on 29 November 2010.

I'm intersted in seeing how they get stuff out of the lockers when the crew cab door is open. XD Ok I tell people off for leaving the appliance doors open on the drill ground, but what if the door had to be left open for some reason, what happens if someone wants something out of the locker?

Added by James Woodfield on 29 November 2010.

The doors are left closed as a rule as as the lockers have to be left open on both sides if the CAFS unit is in operation. This is to assist in venting any exhaust fumes from the unit.

Added by N lilwall on 30 November 2010.

The sister vehicle, 455 from Whitchurch did a 105 mile round trip last friday (November 16th) providing CAFS at the six pump Roxel fire in Kidderminster. I assume there was a restricted access issue as both Redditch & Upton both have CAFS pumps available.

Added by Richard on 20 November 2012.

CAFS has now become a very common standard installation on both first response and front line (full size) pumpers in many North American and European fire services, and I think it will slowly become much more widespread in the UK.

It takes up very little room on the truck, and extinguishing times are reduced by between 50% and 75% for equal levels of water flow; because it is sticky and provides an insulating layer, it also is extremely effective in protecting exposures and is also very useful in preventing rekindles at brush fires.

Added by Rob Johnson on 21 November 2012.

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