Fire Engines Photos

Fontainebleau had an identical unit when I was there studying for my MBA in 1970-71.

Crewed by only four firefighters, the local station commander told me it handled around 90% of all their calls.

The remaining fleet was quite extensive, staffed by a combination of full time and volunteer personnel. It included a Berliet FPT, a Saviem 30 meter GE, two Mercedes CCFs, a Renault SR, an ex US army Jeep and two Renault ambulances. There was also an older (probably 1930s) tandem axle heavy pumper, but I was never able to find out what make it was.

It seemed rather comprehensive for a town of only 40, 000, but of course their response area included the famous Fontainebleau palace, which is enormous and would have posed a huge challenge if it ever got on fire - probably on a scale resembling the Windsor Castle fire.

A minor detail is that this restoration of a 1970 PSM should have an orange warning light. French fire services did not adopt blue lights until much later!

Added by Rob Johnson on 10 October 2023.

Well noted for the orange light! This PS served until the 80' as well

Added by Jacques PETER on 18 October 2023.

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