Author: ukemergency

Lifeboats

This lifeboat in the RNLB The Whiteheads which is a Mersey …



This lifeboat in the RNLB The Whiteheads which is a Mersey Class vessel based at St. Mary’s on the Isles of Scilly. It has a range of 250 nautical miles.





The stern view of the life-saving craft, showing the lightweight crane to launch and recover a small Y-boat.





The small boat used to access the moored lifeboat.

Fire (General)

ECV 854V This is a Landrover Series III 109 which has been converted …



ECV 854V This is a Landrover Series III 109 which has been converted into a fire vehicle by Charmichael. It is part of the Isles of Scilly Fire Service’s fleet based on the island of St. Martins. It is a front line appliance, the only one on the island, despite it’s age of 31 years when photographed in 2011.





The rear view. It has no battenburg markings or even a stripe down the side. Two small blue strobe lights are fitted on the roof along with two tone horns and ladders.





A closer look at the passenger door. An old livery for Cornwall County Fire Brigade is shown, despite the vehicle belonging to the Isles of Scilly Fire Service. This is because the Islands broke away from Cornwall for fire provision and the vehicle has not been re-liveried. This made it the smallest statutory fire service in the UK and is operated on a 100% retained basis.

Ambulance Boats

This is the Star of Life, an ambulance boat used around the Isles of Scilly …



This is the Star of Life, an ambulance boat used around the Isles of Scilly off the Cornish coast. It was new in 2003 when it cost £260,000. The boat is vital to transport casualties from the many islands to the only hospital on St. Mary’s.



The Star of Life works alongside Cornwall’s air ambulance. When the air ambulance is not available, due to maintenance or fog for example, the sea-going catamaran boat can transport serious cases to the mainland at Penzance. It can travel the 28 miles at up to 25 knots.



Inside the 36-foot boat is all the normal ambulance equipment including defibrillator, oxygen and pain relieving drugs. It is manned by an emergency medical technician and a coxswain from the South Western Ambulance Service.



The boat has five pairs of folding doors around the vessel that allow the smooth transition of a walking or stretcher casualty from land to sea. The Star of Life replaced the Santa Warna that previously served the Scillonian archipelago.



The vessel at speed in the sea. It is fitted with a blue flashing light to help identify its purpose.

Miscellaneous

MK08 FYY Oldham Council operates this Mitsubishi Shogun as part of thier…



MK08 FYY Oldham Council operates this Mitsubishi Shogun as part of thier First Response Team. It carries a dark brown and yellow battenburg pattern, very similar to Highways Agency Traffic Officers. This is one of six 4×4 response vehicles they operate.



The Mitsubishi being used to reach snow-bound residents around Oldham. Photo courtesy of Oldham Council.

Police (General)

WA58 BEJ This Land Rover Defender is used by Devon and Cornwall Police…



WA58 BEJ This Land Rover Defender is used by Devon and Cornwall Police. It holds the claim of being the most South-Westerly police vehicle in the country being based on the island of St. Mary’s in the Isles of Scilly.



The rear view of the Land Rover. This is the only motorised police vehicle in the Isles of Scilly. This stems from the islands being a low crime area: just 44 crimes were reported in 2010.

Lifeguard

K249 ROR This is a Lifeguard Toyota Hilux Surf. It carries …



K249 ROR This is a Lifeguard Toyota Hilux Surf. It carries a winch on the front and a clear light bar on the roof with “rescue” wording.



The rear view showing the “ambulance” markings and the high visibility spare tyre cover.



A look at the wording and logo on the side of the Hilux.

Classic Police

UCE 380K Here is a classic Triumph Toledo police car replica. This …



UCE 380K Here is a classic Triumph Toledo police car replica. This type of car was used to patrol rural Nottinghamshire in the early 1970s. Notice the black roof.



The rear view. The blue light has been covered up with black material to help avoid people thinking it is an active police car and to comply with the road vehicle lighting regulations. The police signs are magnetically attached.

Police (General)

SY08 AZC This is a Citroen Dispatch that is operated by Northern …



SY08 AZC This is a Citroen Dispatch that is operated by Northern Constabulary. It has two half-width blue light bars on the roof and four blue flashing LEDs neatly mounted in the front grille.



The side view. Notice the prominent advert for Crimestoppers and that the van is parked in a loading bay, probably because the officers are answering an emergency call.

Doctors

This Mercedes Benz C63 AMG estate is used in Formula One races …



This Mercedes Benz C63 AMG estate is used in Formula One races around the world as the medical car. It is driven by driven by Dr Jacques Tropenat and also carries FIA’s chief medical delegate, Dr Gary Hartstein and medical equipment. The 6.3-litre V8 car has been described as the fastest ambulance on the planet and Mercedes have improved it over the road-going version. It is seen here on a demonstration run with two photographers hanging out of it.

Highways

NV09 CCD This VW Crafter is used by the Highways Agency …



NV09 CCD This VW Crafter is used by the Highways Agency to provide extra equipment at road collisions or other major incidents.



The rear view, showing a major asset of this vehicle: a large variable message matrix sign that folds up from the roof. Notice how the chevron markings on the rear continue down both sides of the van to make it’s overall high visibility livery.

Air Ambulance

G-CEMS and G-SASH are the two Yorkshire Air Ambulances. It is unusual …



G-CEMS and G-SASH are the two Yorkshire Air Ambulances. It is unusual for them to be seen together as they are based in and cover different areas of Yorkshire. It is also unusual to see them at night, as they are not permitted to fly then. They are seen here under spotlights, on display as part of the tenth anniversary party of the service at York Racecourse. They flew back into normal operation the next morning.

Miscellaneous

This VW Caddy is used as a bee response unit by an organisation called …



This VW Caddy is used as a bee response unit by an organisation called the Bee Operational Guidance United Society. This newly united society responds to swarms of bees to protect the public and to protect the bees as they are in decline. Manned by two beekeepers, the van is fitted with a personalised registration plate which reads “buzz off”. An appropriate black and yellow colourscheme has been adopted.

The VW is fitted with blue flashing lights after a special dispensation was allowed as the team often travel long distances across the country chasing bees.





The rear view, including one of the crew. Both crew members wear the suits at all times, including when in the vehicle. In the rear is emergency bee equipment including more protective suits, warning signs and honey pots.

In the official press release, chairwoman April Fursed said “Since we were endorsed by the Queen and Sting, we’ve been buzzing. Before getting this van, workers were bumbling along responding on the fly. We’ve now hived together enough funds to take the sting out of buying it.”.





This vehicle was an April Fool!

Safety Camera Vans

SY58 CBU This camera van is used by the Northern Safety Camera Partnership …



SY58 CBU This camera van is used by the Northern Safety Camera Partnership in Scotland. It carries speed camera signs on all sides and police colours but with amber lights on the roof. Notice that it does not have any ‘police’ signs. The van is not crewed by police officers and is run by a multi-agency partnership, funded directly by Scottish Government. Revenue raised goes direct to the Scottish Court Service and not to the Partnership or the Constabulary.



The rear view, showing a rear window open for the camera to focus clearly on traffic in the distance. The web address of the Northern Safety Camera Partnership is shown. This allows the public to see where the camera van will be located, among other facts.



Caption Corner

Caption Corner 12

A Selection of Readers’ Captions:

MOD Plod never did get the hang of hide and seek! – BH
The MOD didn’t like the 4x4s that they had so thought they’d trash one! – AO
North Yorks sell ageing 4×4 fleet and spend money on new “Enforcers” for their Tactical Support Units to aid the speed and execution of premises warrants! – SS
Um Sarge… you know that builder we booked last week…! – KM
I told you pitting him wouldn’t work! – JW
Although the sergeant said they’d got a Greyhound as an addition to the MoD Dog Unit, somehow they doubted it would fit in the jeep! – OC
People will see the car so i think we will lose at hide and seek! – KL
Should have gont to specsavers! – MJ
Time Team in the year 2100: look at this ancient vehicle we’ve dug up from the past! – TC
Delta-Alpha-Two-One to Control – We’ve attended that report of an out-of-control ‘greyhound’. I think you can cancel the dog unit! – MP

Fire (General)

KX09 BKL This is a JDC / Scania P310 fire vehicle which is used by …



KX09 BKL This is a JDC / Scania P310 fire vehicle which is used by Northamptonshire. It is a welfare unit, providing catering and toilet facilities to firefighters spending a protracted time at an incident. The rear pod can be demounted from the chassis using the hook-lift.



The rear view, showing the access to the segregated toilets.

Fire (General)

MX56 OLP is the site fire appliance used by the Company Protection …



MX56 OLP is the site fire appliance used by the Company Protection team at the Land Rover site in Lode Lane, Solihull. It is staffed by a team who provide security, medical and fire cover on the large site. Other vehicles used but not seen here include several Land Rover Defender patrol vehicles and a Lazer-bodied Ford Transit ambulance which is kitted to the same level an NHS frontline vehicle.

Airport Fire

SY58 CEU The Scottish Highland and Islands Airports Fire Service …



SY58 CEU The Scottish Highland and Islands Airports Fire Service operate this Carmichael / Land Rover at Barra Airport. It has had the body extended to accommodate equipment lockers and ladders, meaning the addition of a second rear axle. The reason for having this unusual vehicle is because the main runway is a tidal beach. A heavier vehicle would struggle to drive on the sand.

Ambulance (General)

Y241 ODC This large yellow truck is an Iveco-Ford New Cargo which …



Y241 ODC This large yellow truck is an Iveco-Ford New Cargo which is an incident support unit for Yorkshire Ambulance Service. It carries trolleys of medical equipment for use at the scene of a major incident. The truck is fitted with blue flashing lights all round and a siren is mounted on the roof of the cab. It is seen here overshadowing YJ57 XMY, a Vauxhall Zafira ambulance car.

Ambulance (General)

112-DMN This is a Mercedes Benz Sprinter converted to an ambulance …



112-DMN This is a Mercedes Benz Sprinter converted to an ambulance by UV Modular. The vehicle is used by the Isle of Man Ambulance And Paramedic Services. Notice the registration plate contains 112, the European emergency number. The Manx government issue registration plates and often allocate plates containing 999 to the emergency services.



The side view of the same ambulance.

Caption Corner

Caption Corner 11

A Selection of Readers’ Captions:

Never, ever go anywhere without a Hi-Viz! – JS
Should have gone to Specsavers! – AE
New conservative budget cuts to the NHS meant that Ambulance staff faced cutbacks to the new uniform! – ABC
Brian thought he had definitely got a bum deal! – KM
Least he’ll never be short of somewhere to park his bike! – GC
The cycle response unit are currently trialing a new light weight uniform. The staff aren’t convinced! – JS
BEWARE!! Raised manhole ahead! – CF
New NHS Procedure – To cause incidents not prevent them! – MJ
Looks like a bit of Flower power going under his seat! – MR
After a spate of collisions with motor vehicles, cycle paramedics are now being told to make themselves more noticable to drivers! – MP
First aid kit, check. Helmet, check. Bike, check. Now what have I forgotten?! – SC

 

Classic Fire

UWV 560 This is a preserved Commer Mark IV with Miles coachwork …



UWV 560 This is a preserved Commer Mark IV with Miles coachwork and was with Wiltshire Fire Brigade. Restoration began in 2005 when the vehicle was in a very poor condition with the engine not working. Notice the folding door to access the rear portion of the cab and the wooden ladders. Emergency warning equipment comes from a blue beacon, bell and horns mounted on the roof and a half blue static light on the nearside bumper.

Fire Motorbikes

CU10 AEN A BMW 1200RTP which is jointly funded by the Welsh Assembly …



CU10 AEN A BMW 1200RTP which is jointly funded by the Welsh Assembly and Mid & West Wales Fire and Rescue Service. The livery work is not yet complete on this shot as it was before the brigade crest was added.



A look at the side of the same bike alongside its sister vehicle. They are primarily used for the Bike Safe scheme as well as promoting road safety.

Fire (General)

This unregistered Land Rover 90 is part of Silverstone’s …



This unregistered Land Rover 90 is part of Silverstone’s fire fighting fleet. It carries the corporate livery and is fitted with a full-width blue light bar.



The rear view of the Land Rover, showing its firefighting kit. Notice the lack of a tailgate and that a narrow spare wheel is carried.

Fire (General)

P73 HHP This Dennis Sabre appliance is privately owned by a company …



P73 HHP This Dennis Sabre appliance is privately owned by a company called Sharp Fire. It is used at large events that have been judged to have a high fire risk as part of the risk assessment. It was previously a front-line appliance in Warwickshire.



The rear view showing some of the equipment carried in the 8.4 tonne appliance.

Fire (General)

FE07 SZF This is a Toyota Hilux that is used for fire cover at Silverstone …



FE07 SZF This is a Toyota Hilux that is used for fire cover at Silverstone motor racing circuit in Northamptonshire. It is one of a number of dedicated fire vehicles that are placed around the edge of the circuit to quickly respond to motor vehicle fires and collisions during races.



The rear view of the Toyota showing the water bowser, pump, hosereel and fire extinguishers carried.

Fire Cycles

An example of a fire brigade mountain bike. It has fire markings …



An example of a fire brigade mountain bike. It has fire markings on the frame and a small bag on the rear to carry paperwork and a digital camera. The bikes are sometimes deployed to identify possible arson targets such as abandoned cars in remote areas. The camera and paperwork are used to record the location details and normally the local council will be advised to move the potential fire hazard.

Police (General)

YB06 TYO This Citroen Dispatch van is used by North Yorkshire …



YB06 TYO This Citroen Dispatch van is used by North Yorkshire Police for driver training duties. When being used for blue-light training it is normal for it to have the lights and siren permanently on, irrespective of traffic levels, and travelling just under the speed limit.





The rear view showing the windows all-round and rows of seats inside. The windows help visibility when learning to drive this van on blue light runs and the rows of seats allow a number of students and one instructor to observe the driver.

Caption Corner

Caption Corner 10

 

A Selection of Readers’ Captions:

Let this be a warning to all who prank call the fire service: THEY KNOW WHERE YOU LIVE! – JS
The annual emergency services stunt driving competition was a huge success, until one team started cheating with a forklift! – KM
The new cost cutting, space saving, way of parking your car on station! – AB
To make some extra cash, firemen were now doing MOTs on station! – AB
The local Fire crew are paid so little, that they can only afford to replace 2 tyres at a time. The new style of driving assists in cutting down the wear! – BH
That’s one way to retrieve the ‘Chippy Run’ you dropped under the Watch Manager’s car! – PW
After the recession, the cutbacks started with the doughnuts. In sheer desperation the firemen used drastic measures to find some! – CP
Day 1 at the fire appliance driving school wasn’t going well! – MR
Listen guys, I know you’re bored, but you can’t go around CAUSING an RTC! – IB
Government spending cuts mean that the fire service will now be assisting the police with ending vehicle pursuits! – MP
I don’t think she’s grasped parallel parking! – WB

 

Police (General)

YJ60 FDO This silver Audi A4 240 three-litre TDI is used …



YJ60 FDO This silver Audi A4 240 three-litre TDI is used by North Yorkshire Police’s roads policing team. It is designated as an ANPR Intercept Team vehicle as shown on the bonnet and is one of a pair of identical vehicles introduced in early 2011. Notice the lack of county identification marks; there is only a small force crest on the bonnet.



The rear view of the Audi. It doesn’t carry any of North Yorkshire’s usual messages such as web address, non-emergency number and Crimestoppers number.



An overhead look at the car.

Police (General)

YJ10 OCF This silver Ford Focus is used by North Yorkshire …



YJ10 OCF This silver Ford Focus is used by North Yorkshire police as a dog unit. Wording on the side shows the public that it is air conditioned. This means that the dogs can stay cool in the summer even if locked in the car. The engine can remain running to power the air con using the Runlock system. If any unauthorised person entered the car, the engine would stop if any of the pedals were depressed. It also has the nationally recognised triangle symbol on the roof