WX07 XWN is a Wiltshire Fire Service Santana PS10. Looking very similar to a Land Rover, this Spanish company have been making 4x4s for many years on behalf of other car companies. This example has a single thin yellow stripe up the sides, the service’s crest and a removable blue light with integral siren unit.
RV02 OHV This is a VW Transporter that is used by London Fire Brigade as a fire investigation unit. It is based at New Cross station.
WX56 VCF This Mercedes-Benz 1224 Spectra is CSU1, a command support unit with London Fire Brigade. It is one of eight such vehicles that were distributed across the capital, with one more being held back as a reserve.
WX56 VCE shows how two identical command units can be used together at larger incidents. You can see that they have parked the vehicles so that their retractable canopies form a central covered area.
NK55 RJX is Durham & Darlington appliance which is shown here at a simulated road accident.
V135 JWP This is a Vauxhall Movano DTI that is used as a Community Safety Display Vehicle with Durham & Darlington FRS.
YJ55 FWU This Volvo FL6 is used by West Yorkshire’s Fire workshop to test and repair ladders throughout the brigade area. Note that the vehicle does not carry any emergency warning equipment.
Here we see a ladder being winched into the rear of the vehicle for testing.
YJ55 LRY This Mercedes Vito 115 CDI long wheel base van is used by West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service as part of their urban search and rescue team. It carries a combination of crew and equipment.
The rear view of the Mercedes Vito.
WX54 VSK This MAN prime mover can be seen carrying one of a number of urban search and rescue pods.
The pods can be rapidly loaded and loaded at incidents. Here pod 3 is being unloaded by the prime mover.
This side view shows the hydraulic arm which is used to load and unload the pods onto the prime mover.
Here we have a close up of a pod. This particular one is urban search and rescue pod 4. All pods based around the country are numbered the same so that the equipment contained within them is consistent.
EU56 GKD This Bobcat all-terrain vehicle is contained within pod 4. It can be used to carry equipment and personal equipment over rough terrain. The vehicle is fitted with high power lights and LED’s at the top of the windscreen.
OU06 HFM This Volvo S40 demonstrator was in use with West Yorkshire Fire service in spring 2007. The vehicle has a semi battenburg mark up and blue lights on the bumper, behind the grill, on the dashboard and on the roof.
The rear view of the same Volvo, showing how the high visibility striping continues over the door pillars from the boot edge.
YJ55 VWX This Volvo based vehicle is used by West Yorkshire Fire and Service to carry their major rescue unit. The front and sides of the truck have only minimal fire markings. The pod on the rear of the vehicle can be unloaded at an incident.
The rear view showing the blue lights built into the rear of the pod.
YJ54 BKG This is a typical Volvo pumping appliance with Emergency One bodywork used by West Yorkshire.
P156 PWW This Volvo FL6 is used at West Yorkshire Fire Service’s training centre. Its is photographed in front of a fire simulation building where recruits are put through their paces.
YJ53 AZO This Volvo appliance is used for driver training by West Yorkshire and carries ‘L’ plates at the front and rear. It does not carry ladders on its roof like most appliances and it also has an additional wing mirror for the passengers in the back of the cab.
RYH07 SBO is a Skoda Octavia estate used by West Yorkshire. This car would be typically used by a senior fire officer.
KE51 HXO is a Vauxhall Corsa 5 door fire car. Note that this vehicle does not carry any emergency warning equipment.
VE02 YLG This Vauxhall Forntera is used also operated by West Yorkshire Fire Service.
The rear view of the Forntera showing the high visibility striping on the spare wheel cover
YJ06 WNF This Mercedes Sprinter 416 CDI 4×4 is used by West Yorkshire as an urban fire appliance. There is room for the crew in the cab whilst a limited amount of equipment is carried in the rear. Its compact size and four wheel drive enable it to reach places that larger and heavier appliances would be unable to get access.
The rear view of the appliance showing the hoses and pumping equipment.
YJ56 ULV This Volvo prime mover is used to carry a variety of different emergency pods which the vehicle can load and unload using a high power hydraulic lifting arm.
L731 EJX This Land Rover Defender 130 has been modified by west Yorkshire Fire Service so that it can be used as a grittier and snow plough. It is based at their headquarters in Bradford and does not carry blue lights.
YJ07 NOF is an LDV Maxus Van used by the Youth Training Association at Wakefield fire station.
YF56 TXJ This Citroen Dispatch is used as a fire investigation vehicle and is fitted with blue lights. The inset shows the rear view.
EA56 JDO is a Ford Ranger double cab pick-up fitted with Truckman hard back. It has a pair of blue LED’s mounted into the front grill as well as a full width roof light bar. The inset shows the high visibility striping on the back of the hard back.
WX54 WRM This MAN TGA / Marshall SV prime mover forms part of the government’s ‘New Dimension’ fleet of vehicles. It is seen here carrying an incident response unit pod.
WX54 VNP are also MAN TGA / Marshall SV prime movers. This time they are seen carrying high volume pumping units. These units are demountable from the prime mover and can pump water up at up to 8000 litres per minute. The units also carry large diameter hose.
The rear view of the high volume pumping unit showing the pumping section on the left complete with a blue light and a flood light, and the hose laying unit on the right. A number of these high volume pumps appeared in the press during summer 2007 as Britain struggled to cope with abnormal amounts of rain fall and extreme flooding.
L728 EJX This Volvo FL6.18 prime mover is seen here carrying West Yorkshire’s hose laying pod.
L728 EJX can also carry the major incident pod. Its is seen here attending a mock train crash at Leeds station.
HX55 KFC is a silver double-cabbed Nissan Navara incident support unit belonging to Hampshire Fire. It carries the same livery as the BMW above, with repeater blue lights on the rear, as the light bar is obscured from behind.
YK05 EXP This is a Mercedes Benz Vito that is used by North Yorkshire FRS as an equipment van. It replaces a T-reg Vauxhall Frontera. The Vito has much more room to carry equipment used for fire safety events.
The rear view of the van. It carries a simple livery and has blue lights fitted. It does not have any writing on the bodywork, just ‘fire’ written on the roof-mounted light bar.
YD52 YHK This Land Rover Defender is used by North Yorkshire FRS to get to fires or rescues off-road. You can see that it is fitted with a winch on the front and has a length of hose on the roof.
NX53 AZD This Volvo FH12 truck is used by North Yorkshire FRS for driver training. It carries small crests on the cab doors, but no other identifying marks.
L795 GVN is one of five identical Angloco / Mercedes Benz small 4×4 pumps. They all have sequential registration numbers (795 to 799) and are used in North Yorkshire. This example was still on the run at Malton fire station in 2007, some 14 years after it was introduced.
NX53 KZD This car and trailer combination is lead by a Peugeot Expert support van. The trailer carries ‘professional fire training’ wording along with the brigade’s crest. The van is fitted with amber flashing lights and is not used for emergency response work.
EDZ 2688 This is a Northern Ireland Fire Brigade Freight Rover Sherpa van. It is used as an emergency tender and has been fitted with a huge light bar.
A collection of three NIFB vehicles here. In the background is a Search and Rescue unit lorry, and in the foreground is a Vauxhall Vectra towing a fire boat.
HDZ 1430 is a Dennis SS134 which was new in 1990. It is also operated by the fire service covering Northern Ireland.
LKZ 9443 is an example of a Volvo appliance belonging to NIFB. In this shot it is being used at a large fire to relay water.
SY55 BZV The MAN / Emergency One appliance is with the Highlands and Islands FRS in Scotland.
YJ56 FOV is a Mercedes Sprinter fire support vehicle with North Yorkshire F&RS.
G629 JHL This Volvo FL6 is an ex-front line appliance. It is now housed at the Fire and Police Museum in Sheffield. Here it is being used to give rides around the city to visitors.
The rear view of the same Volvo showing the ‘not in service’ board. For the amusement of children, a siren sound can be heard in the cab.
AE55 JWM This is a Vauxhall Combo van that is used by North Yorkshire FRS for (non-emergency) driver training
YK56 CJU Another minimally marked vehicle with North Yorks is this Skoda Fabia. It is one of a number of identical vehicles used by senior fire officers. The vehicles are sometimes used with a small blue light bar on the roof when responding to emergencies.
CKZ 8740 is a Land Rover Defender 110 that is used by the Northern Ireland Fire Service. This 1999 vehicle has a 2.5 litre turbo diesel engine that can power it across rough terrain, or used to tow a fire boat as seen here.
The rear view of the same Defender. The striking red and yellow livery can be seen, which includes a bespoke spare wheel cover.
WA05 FXU This Ford Ranger has been converted by John Dennis Corporation to a rescue unit. The front view shows how it is fitted with a winch, blue lights on the grille, a clear led light bar, a floodlight and ladders.
The rear view of the same rescue unit shows the equipment lockers and high visibility markings. It is operated by Devon F&RS.
WA06 JVD This MAN / JDC engine is stationed at Exmouth, Devon.
KX05 VAV is a Skoda Superb in silver. This diesel car is decked out in red and yellow battenburg markings and is used by senior fire officers. Notice how the blue lights are attached to the roof bars to avoid drilling holes and decreasing the car’s value when it comes to be sold.
YJ53 KHO is a Scania appliance with Emergency One bodywork. This Humberside appliance is based at the Barton on Humber station.
Y866 VKH is a Scania based hose layer also from Barton on Humber. It would be used at an incident where the supply of water was a significant distance from the fire. Note how it has has an orange flashing light built into it’s roof mounted blue light bar.
G72 NAG This Dennis Carmichael appliance is used by Humberside Fire and Rescue service.
G73 NAG is the sister appliance to the vehicle above photographed in 2002 with a variation on the Humberside crest on the drivers door. This is due to a minor change in livery.
YX03 FVP is a Scania hydraulic platform form Humberside. Note how the blue light bar on the has been split to accommodate the extending boom.
YK51 BXZ is a Mercedes Ateco lorry used to carry specialist equipment by Humberside Fire and Rescue service. The arm on the back of the lorry is used to unload its cargo, such as the hazmat equipment module it is seen carrying here. Like the hose laying unit above, this vehicle also has an orange light in its light bar.
YK05 GOJ is a minimally marked Humberside Vauxhall Combo van.
NY04 PYP is a Ford Transit 350 LWB used by Conocophillips and Total at the Humber oil refinery The inset shows the emergency telephone number of “222” which would be used instead of “999” at the massive oil processing site.
F222 WPR is a Ford Iveco HCB Angus water carrier also used at the Humber oil refinery. This particular vehicle was deployed to the Buncefield Oil refinery fire in December 2005, driving from North Lincolnshire to Hertfordshire, a distance of over 180 miles, on blue lights.
N423 NTL is a Volvo F10 with Angloco body work used at the Humber oil refinery. It carries a demountable pod which carries fire fighting equipment.
R107 FFE is another Volvo F10 use at the Humber oil refinery. It carries 2700 litres of water/foam as well as fire fighting equipment stored inside lockers on the vehicle.
YY52 UVR This is a Humberside Vauxhall Astra fire car. It has a bar of rotating blue lights on the roof and alternately flashing main beam headlights. The fire officer driving also has the amber hazard lights flashing as the car is on a airport taxiway.
V102 EFJ A Devon Fire & Rescue Service Fire Command Vehicle. This vehicle in its striking livery is a Mercedes Vito and is stationed at Exmouth Fire Station
The rear view of the Vito showing the ‘fire command’ colourful livery.
WA06 JZM This is a Devon Fire & Rescue Service MAN Fire Truck. This vehicle is stationed at Exmouth Fire Station
E754 HRY Derbyshire Security Services Fire Section have this 1987 Bedford appliance.
HX07 FFD This BMW 3-series is used by Hampshire Fire Service’s senior officers. It is decked out with a simple yellow and black stripe that runs around the waist of the car. Bold ‘fire’ wording is added alongside the county crest and website address. A full-width light bar is also fitted. Text
L516 XBB This is a County Durham & Darlington Fire and Rescue Service Special Incident Unit. It is used for major incidents as it is also a mobile control unit and it is based at HQ in Durham City.
M415 FRG This is a County Durham & Darlington Heavy Rescue Vehicle. It is based at Bishop Auckland and is used for the rescue of heavy vehicles.
L517 XBB A Durham & Darlington foam tender based at Bishop Auckland.
N432 RCN This photograph shows a Durham & Darlington FRS Volvo Bronto Skylift. This vehicle is used for high building rescues and for watering down on factory fires from above. It is one of a pair and is based at Darlington
KT55 AWO is a black Seat Ibiza that is used by Humberside’s arson task force. It is not used for emergency response work, but this sponsored car carries an impressive eye-catching livery.
M304 LBB is an Iveco Ford Euro Fire 150E27 with GB Fire bodywork used by the Tyne and Wear Metropolitan Fire Brigade. The turntable ladder has a reach of 30m and incorporates a rescue cage.
The rear view of the appliance, call sign Foxtrot Zero Three. The hand controls to operate the ladder can be seen on the rear of the vehicle duplicated on both sides.
V897 ETY is a Volvo FL6.14 appliance with Emergency One body work used by Tyne and Wear.
L202 LCN is a Volvo FL6.14 emergency tender, with the call sign Charlie Zero Four. The appliance features a large winch and a lack of fire markings on its front.
The rear view showing the high visibility striped doors which access the small office at the back of the vehicle.
NK53 TYV is Yankee Zero Two, a Dennis Sabre pump with Excalibur bodywork based at Swalwell Station in Tyne and Wear.
P138 CNL is Tyne and Wear’s Operational Support Unit, built upon a 6X2 Volvo FL6.18 chassis.
The rear view of the OSU Victor Zero Five. The appliance carries its own Moffett fork lift truck to enable the cargo to be unloaded. The fork lift truck has its own blue rotating beacon.
NK51 BWX is another Volvo pump with Emergency One body work used by Tyne and Wear.
WU54 EJY Another Dennis appliance used by Wiltshire Fire Brigade leaving the fire station on a job.
VO03 KNJ is another MAN appliance. This time we have a pump unit based at Painswick in Gloucestershire.
The rear view of the pumping appliance showing its eye-catching livery.
VO02 HCL is a Dennis pump based at Stroud. It has red and yellow battenburg markings down the sides.
The rear view of the above appliance. The poster on the rear shutter advertises the need to have a smoke alarm to protect your family.
W196 PKT is a MAN special rescue unit based at Gloucester and operated by Gloucester Fire and Rescue Service.
M429 XAS, a Volvo FL6 with Carmichael bodywork. On the right is R119 RST, another Volvo FL6 but with Emergency One bodywork. They are seen here emerging from the Highlands and Islands’ Stromness Fire Station.
NX53 LVZ is a Renault van used as a service support unit by Cleveland.
M405 VFM is a Mercedes recovery truck operated by Cleveland Fire brigade. It is equipped with amber flashing lights rather than blue to signify that it is used as a support vehicle.
APT 968W is another preserved Dennis appliance, operating on blues and twos here.
J36439 is a preserved Dennis appliance, formerly used by the fire service on the channel island of Jersey. Notice the lack of striping down the sides.
Another view of the appliance off-road.
XAS 523 is a Bedford RLHZ Self-Propelled Pump, more commonly known as a Green Goddess.
The rear view of the 1950’s appliance which is now in preservation. For more photos of this type of fire engine in use, see the ‘fire strike’ section.
H881 MKV is a Land Rover Defender 130 double cab used by Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service.
EBB 846W is a former incident command unit from the Tyne and Wear fire brigade. The vehicle took close to two years to design and build and was registered for road used in 1980.
The units call sign was Alpha 07, and it still displays this plate next to its left hand indicator. The appliance is now in preservation, some 25 years after it was first put into service.
The vehicle contains everything required for a major incident including briefing rooms and a kitchen. To accommodate all of these features, it was based on a Dennis bus chassis, with the body work built about that.
This Dennis appliance was photographed even before the body work was finished! This is how the vehicle would come from the manufacturer before it goes to the body builder for further fitting and finishing.
NX53 AYW is a Volvo appliance from York fire station. It is seen here under routine maintenance. To enable access to the engine and other mechanical components, the front part of the cab is designed to tip forwards.
Here is a 52-registration Mercedes fire engine which is a Decontamination Unit and a Breathing Aparatus Control Unit with South Yorkshire.
This black and red Range Rover is used for non-emergency work by South Yorkshire F&RS’s Community Safety Team.
This Honda Civic is shown a very minimal fire livery. The light bar can be unclipped from the roof of the car and the fire signs are magnetic and can also be removed when not in use.
This Mitsubishi L200 double cab pick up is used by Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and carries the county council’s name on the side. The single blue light set on the top of the pick up hard back is complemented by two LED’s in the front grill.
SN05 MJF is a Volvo based appliance used by the Central Scotland Fire and Rescue Service. It features battenburg stripes down each side of the appliance as well as red and white striping on the front to increase its presence on the road.
This Volvo XC70 is also used as a fire car. This particular model features four wheel drive transmission and raised suspension to enable the vehicle to be used for limited off road use. Its base colour of brown is unusual for a fire vehicle.
The rear view showing the cars smart livery.
This Volvo S40 is a fire car in a generic livery. It has a low profile clear LED roof light bar as well as additional clear LED’s on the grill and bumper.
The rear view of the car.
K69 YBO is a Mercedes-based truck with Saxon bodywork. It is used by South Wales Fire Service as a control Unit.
This is an Iveco-based appliance used by Cheshire Fire Service. It is much smaller than a conventional fire appliance and could be used in congested city streets or in rural areas when it may have to travel some distance to incidents. It would be quicker than a conventional-sized appliance in these situations.
E576 GJX This Land Rover Defender has been specially extended to accommodate fire-fighting equipment on the rear. This tri-axle vehicle provides fire cover at events and is run by East Lindsey Fire Protection Services.
The rear shot shows the modifications. A water tank is in the centre, and is surrounded by hoses, extinguishers and other such paraphernalia.
OU05 OUD This is an Oxfordshire Fire Service Honda Civic. It is in sliver with a yellow stripe up the sides. It has no emergency warning equipment, but may be fitted with a removable blue light.
EN53 HJO This is a Ford Ranger fire car that may be in service with the Jersey Fire Brigade. It was spotted in Portsmouth, Hampshire. It has a band of stretched red and yellow battenburg marks up the sides, as well as a full-width light bar.
FJ03 LWT This Dennis Sabre appliance is with Derbyshire F&RS. It carries red and yellow battenburg markings that extend over the lockers. This twin-cabbed vehicle is based at Ascot Drive.