Fire Engines Photos

Where would we be without health and safety? Next they'll say it's too dangerous to climb ladders, drive fast to emergencies or go into burning buildings.

Added by Scott on 24 March 2008.

Yea but guys Fire appliances have had these ladder aids for years. In Suffolk we have Y reg appliances from 1999 2000 that have these ladder lowering tools equipped to the pumps so its not nothing new! And overall i have to say, as a 57 reg appliance i don't really think its that special!!!!

Added by Peter Bromley on 26 March 2008.

Scott, some Brigades are already saying these things, like not being able to stow equipment on top of appliances anymore hence the ladder gantries, due to the working at hight regulation, etc. Some Brigades have also imposed speed limits to incidents. I don't think we have seen the end to all these regulation, due to fear of people putting in claims if injured.

Added by Paul Warnock on 27 March 2008.

I agree Paul, the newer MAN appliances in Devon have the speed limiters on, so they can only go about 65mph. The old volvos would easily top 80. They've also said that civilians aren't allowed in the fire engines because of insurance purposes. Fair enough, but apparently, this was due to an Australian kid falling out of an appliance in Australia and his parents sueing the brigade! how this affects us in the U.K i don't know!

Added by Alex on 27 March 2008.

Hey Peter some services have had them for years and a lot havent .iI was at moreton in october and a few hadnt seen them, as for it not being special, i dont understand as usually an appliance on a station is special to all concerned, as for the one in the photograph it looks good, its modern, its well laid out, its easy to get in and out and as its a Dennis it will handle well and be as fast as required, so i disagree with you on all counts, sorry Alan

Added by Big Al on 28 November 2008.

Not sure where this is based but the presence of the amber light indicate being close to an airport. The machines based at Horley and Crawley in West Sussex are fitted with them for attendance at Gatwick Airport.

Added by Mark Butcher on 26 February 2009.

The philosophy that Durham have behind the amber lights isn't what you might think ! Apparently they took (and presumnably still take) the view that if the machine is in a position on - say - hydrant inspectionss, where it could be looked upon as causing anything of a hazard, that the amber beacon be used. They take the view that the blue beacon can't be used, when it is not operating in an emergency situation. (Don't shoot the messenger - I'm assured this is the case !)

Added by Ian Moore on 26 February 2009.

Y plate? This stowage idea has been around for a while now and I know at least the R plate batch of Central Scotland's pumps has had them from new(only on the 9m ladder thought).

Added by Jake Reever on 26 February 2009.

Ian, the manual states, or used to, that on arrival at a shout blue lights should be turned off. The only appliance that should be using one is the command vehicle, so as to give a clear indication to all that the oic is "based" there. As to the use of amber for airports, its a mandatory requirement, so any machine needed to attend airports regularly would need one. As a hazard warning anyway, it makes sense to fit amber to all machines.

Added by John Stott on 26 February 2009.

Yes you are correct Ian Durham have had the amber beacons for about 6 years now and that is what I was told by a senior officer when they first appeared.

Added by Barrie Green on 26 February 2009.

Nice to see on a modern appliance the 'low - tech ball floating in water' tank level gauge instead of the ridiculous electronic set ups some transport officers are being conned into having, you know the ones that tell you theres loads of water left in the tank when in truth its almost empty !!!

Added by Rick Loudon on 26 February 2009.

I agree Rick, too much electro trickery nowadays, when somthing costing 1/8th of the price works. This is a nice machine, well its a Sabre! as for the tail stripes, I wouldnt want to be on the pump too long, you would need a pair of sun glasses after an hour.

Added by John Stott on 27 February 2009.

John:
I'm not disputing the words of the manual for one moment, and I know an amber movement light is supposed to be on appliances regularly attending airports (though I can think of quite a few that don't !) However, this was not my point, and that which I was making has been backed up by Barrie Green. Also, we know that all blue lights are supposed to be turned off on arrival at an incident except for the incident command pump - this doesn't always happen either, especially in townships.

Added by Ian Moore on 27 February 2009.

Totally agree with rick . the frs i work for tried them and and are now back to the ping pong ball that works!! as for the ladder gantries, we run with some as late as 53 plate that dont have them, and actually they are a pain in the butt with the exception of the 9 meter where it is easier to ship, we were told the latest batch of r/p would be dennis and were all looking forward to getting them (everyone knows they are the dogs!)but it turns out its scanias again but with dennis bodies, no luck, we are still going to be overtaken on the way to jobs by grannies in astras !!

Added by Big Al on 27 February 2009.

Are the Scania appliances as bad as that ? heard they are sluggish but thought given the 9 litre engine they must have had plenty of power, i know Dennis are the best, so what is 2nd best ? please don't say Volvo !


Added by John Johnstone on 27 February 2009.

Tongue in cheek John, you must have expensive ping pong balls where you are if you could only get 8 of this type of tank gauge instead of an electronic one !!

Added by Rick Loudon on 27 February 2009.

Rick, in my brigades we only had HCB Angus ping pong balls, quality at a price! lol! Rick, only quoting the manual mate, no offence meant, as for not following the manual on the fireground, well thats bad discipline on junior officers parts.

Added by John Stott on 28 February 2009.

Ah ! its all clear now HCB ping pong balls ! most definatly the 'Rolls Royce' of ping pong balls lol !

Added by Rick Loudon on 28 February 2009.

Alex! In metric is 65 mph 104 kph! And 80 mph is 128 kph!!! Is 55 mph to low? Witch is worse, to arrive in safety to a firescen, or maybe not, 'cos the speed has been to high? The higher speed is, the moore chances is, that some day the accident will come as a letter from the postman.

Anders F.Sweden.

Added by Anders Fallström on 15 September 2015.

At 65 mph you will get overtaken buy milk floats on the motorway , no one would be stupid enough to attain such speeds in town or twisty country roads but the ability to at least keep up with traffic is essential , some scanias and volvos are limited to 56 mph some are not but it is ridiculous to suggest 65 mph is too fast for a fire appliance , I remember doing 85 in a rapier on the motorway in perfect safety

Added by Diamond T on 16 September 2015.

I've heard tales from firefighter friends of approaching 100 mph in Dennis RSs and SSs - and even surpassing it in a Rapier. I don't think a Sabre can go that fast. Too big. And by the way, our metric friends, 100 mph is 160 kph! Now that's a response!

Added by Yelp Bullhorn on 17 September 2015.

Regularity done over 85 in a sabre and well over 90 in a rapier and in safety ! But not in the high street !

Added by Andrew milton on 17 September 2015.

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