Fire Engines Photos

Photo would have been taken at Bohemia Rd , Hastings as The Ridge fire station wasn't built until 1977.
This ran as a Pump Emergency Salvage Tender, PEST as it was referred to by the station personnel at the time . It was mainly used as an emergency tender but could be pressed into operation as a pump as it had a small water tank, pump and hose reel. When taken over by ESFB it reverted back to just the role of emergency tender being replaced in 1984/5 by a 6 wheel jeep. This Bedford was then used as a driver trainer from Hove and the Jeep was written off in 1988.

Added by Shaun R. on 11 November 2016.

Essex had a couple of Leyland Firemaster PESTs in the early sixties, one of which is on this site. The underfloor engine bus chassis leant itself to this kind of application, as the pump was front mounted and the design afforded a reasonably accessible center aisle "walk in" body - which was the traditional layout fir an ET in those days.

Added by Rob Johnson on 24 February 2024.

The referenced photo seems to have disappeared, which is a bit sad, as these were - like the other Firemasters - a unique and rather odd part of our history, and - as far as I know - neither has been preserved.

Ed: this one?



Added by Rob Johnson on 25 February 2024.

Petros. Yes indeed! I searched but could not find it. The post says one of these is actually preserved, but no information beyond that….

Ed: Essex fire mus has good coverage online of Essex fire appliances but I can't see this as a survival

Added by Rob Johnson on 26 February 2024.

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