Fire Engines Photos

This photo tends to illustrate just how dangerous these early wood framed cabs were for the crews riding in them. On a more positive note, they were of course a lot safer (and more comfortable) than the previous generation of open air Braidwood bodies. These could be cold and/or wet - depending on the weather - as well as crew members risking falling off on bends or bumps unless they hung on tight.

Ed: the son of the chief officer of West Ham FB was killed in 1884 falling off a Braidwood round the corner from where I live.

Added by Rob Johnson on 04 May 2025.

Apparently it is still true that more firefighters are injured in road traffic accidents while responding to incidents than by injuries suffered during actual firefighting or rescue activities. This despite so many innovations which are meant to improve safety.

Added by Rob Johnson on 07 May 2025.

I wonder if this was one of the numerous Kent Commers which mysteriously lost their front doors during conversion to crew cab fire tenders, but - as illustrated here - for some reason still retained the completely unnecessary front cab steps?

Added by Rob Johnson on 06 January 2026.

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