Documenting UK emergency vehicles past and present

Fire > Motorbikes

LD14 JWN Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service BMW K1300GT

LD14 JWN
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service
BMW K1300GT
A motorcycle used by Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service. It features high-visibility Battenburg livery and panniers for equipment. The motorcycle supports community fire safety work and rapid attendance at incidents requiring flexible access.
Photograph Location: Ipswich East

Ambulance

HX13 BUE British Red Cross Fiat Ducato Tribute

HX13 BUE
British Red Cross
Fiat Ducato Tribute
This converted Fiat Ducato Tribute van, registration HX13 BUE, is operated by the British Red Cross. It is labelled ‘Emergency Response’ and used to support major incident and humanitarian operations. Photographed in 2024, it remains in active duty supporting emergency partners.
Photograph Location: Ipswich East

Fire

EK18 MHM Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service Ford Ranger

EK18 MHM
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service
Ford Ranger
A pickup truck operated by Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service’s Prevention Team. It is used for outreach and community engagement, supported by Rotary in Suffolk, and carries distinct prevention-themed graphics.
Photograph Location: Ipswich East

Fire

AV12 DNF, KP60 XCC, LK15 AYX Port of Felixstowe This image shows a ..

AV12 DNF KP60 XCC LK15 AYX
Port of Felixstowe
This image shows a collection of emergency vehicles including a Mercedes Atego fire appliance (KP60 XCC) and two Mercedes Sprinter ambulances (AV12 DNF, LK15 AYX). They are parked in the Emergency Response Unit, ready to deploy to the port area.

Ambulance

AV12 DNF Port of Felixstowe Mercedes-Benz Sprinter / WAS

AV12 DNF
Port of Felixstowe
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter / WAS
This Sprinter-based ambulance, registration AV12 DNF, serves the Port of Felixstowe. Converted by WAS and first registered in 2012, it retains its operational status with advanced medical kit and a hydraulic tail lift. Photographed inside the station bay alongside fellow fleet vehicles.

Fire

AY61 XVL Port of Felixstowe Ford Transit

AY61 XVL
Port of Felixstowe
Ford Transit
A white Ford Transit van with rear chevrons and labelled ‘Emergency Unit’. Registered in 2011, it supports emergency logistics operations at the Port of Felixstowe.

Fire

KP60 XCC Port of Felixstowe Mercedes-Benz Atego / Angloco

KP60 XCC
Port of Felixstowe
Mercedes-Benz Atego / Angloco
This appliance is part of the Port of Felixstowe’s emergency services fleet. Equipped with a roof ladder gantry and full emergency lighting, it is designed for rapid response in the port’s complex environment.

Fire

KY12 LYX Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service Volvo FL / Emergency One

KY12 LYX
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service
Volvo FL / Emergency One
A Volvo FL fire engine built by Emergency One and operated by Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service. Photographed outside Woodbridge station with a distinctive weathervane depicting a vintage fire engine.
Photograph Location: Woodbridge

Fire

AX17 DBV Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service Renault Trafic

AX17 DBV
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service
Renault Trafic
A red Renault Trafic van serving as an engineering support vehicle for Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service. Carries service livery with the county crest and yellow side stripes.
Photograph Location: Woodbridge

Ambulance

FN69 NZX, FN69 NYR East of England Ambulance Service Skoda Octavia S..

FN69 NZX FN69 NYR
East of England Ambulance Service
Skoda Octavia Scout
A pair of ambulance response cars. Livery shows an Advanced Paramedic Urgent Care crest. NZX also carries a retractable floodlight on the roof to illuminate a scene at night. NZX also has a loose rear registration plate.
Photograph Location: Lowestoft South

Fire

BH19 LCO Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service Mercedes-Benz Sprinter

BH19 LCO
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
Command support vehicle. Call sign 15C9. Notice the red flashing lights to the front. A fire service command unit is the only vehicle allowed to show a red light to the front in the UK lighting regulations.
Photograph Location: Beccles

Fire

PN13 GTZ Noble Fire and Rescue Isuzu D-Max

PN13 GTZ
Noble Fire and Rescue
Isuzu D-Max
This Isuzu D-Max is used as a rapid intervention vehicle. It features red and yellow battenburg markings, a light bar, and a rear compartment housing firefighting equipment including hose reels, extinguishers, and a 600-litre water tank. It is well-suited to off-road and quick response use around airports and outdoor events.

Fire > Classic

F313 HWL Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue GMC Suburban

F313 HWL
Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue
GMC Suburban
This classic GMC Suburban served with Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue at Burnham. It is equipped with roof-mounted ladders and blue beacons and is painted in a distinctive red livery with blue and yellow stripes. As a US-built vehicle, it stands out from typical UK fire appliances and is now preserved.

Fire > Classic

FSP 924W Tayside Fire Brigade Dodge G13

FSP 924W
Tayside Fire Brigade
Dodge G13
This Dodge G13 was used as a command/control unit. Featuring a red and white checkerboard design, it was equipped with communications equipment and blue lights. Vehicles of this type were common in the late 1970s and early 1980s but are now rare to see. Thankfully this one is in preservation.

Fire > Classic

K472 PAG Humberside Fire Brigade Dennis SS / HCB Angus

K472 PAG
Humberside Fire Brigade
Dennis SS / HCB Angus
This Dennis SS fire engine served with Humberside Fire Brigade. It features HCB Angus bodywork and was commonly used throughout the UK in the early 1990s. Now preserved, it retains its original livery and operational equipment and appears at historic vehicle shows.

Fire > Classic

RXP 688 Auxiliary Fire Service Bedford RLHZ Green Goddess

RXP 688
Auxiliary Fire Service
Bedford RLHZ Green Goddess
This preserved Bedford RLHZ ‘Green Goddess’ was used by the Auxiliary Fire Service and is painted in traditional military green. The vehicle includes pumping gear and hose reels. Also shown is a large water reservoir than can be used to ensure enough water is available for pumping. These vehicles were deployed during firefighter strikes and remain iconic in British emergency services history. The interior reflects its utilitarian military design.

Fire > Classic

CYY 630C Auxiliary Fire Service Bedford RL

CYY 630C
Auxiliary Fire Service
Bedford RL
This Bedford RL truck was used by the Auxiliary Fire Service as a general support vehicle. It is fitted with a canvas-covered rear and painted in military green with ‘AFS’ markings. These trucks accompanied pumping appliances and carried equipment or personnel. It has been converted into a camper so that the owner can stay in it when it is displayed at events.

Fire > In Action

Buckles Inn Exercise

Buckles Inn Training Exercise

The Buckles Inn, located just outside York, was a traditional country pub and inn known for its warm atmosphere and convenient location. Situated near major roads and only a short drive from York’s historic city centre, it served as a popular stop for travellers exploring the area. Now closed, it was the scene of a fire training exercise in February 2025.

Before the exercise commences, EG23 LXP a Ford Transit from Tadcaster, was on scene to set up the smoke bombs.

As smoke started emanating from the extractor vents and door gaps, the Transit was repositioned right next to the A64 dual carriageway. This helped as a marker for where the appliances would need to turn into the car park as well as be a reassuring presence for members of the public passing (to try and avoid any unnecessary 999 calls).

The call is put in at 10:09 for a turnout.

First to arrive is YK64 GXU from York just 6 minutes later. The appliance makes slows down on the A64 dual carriageway and makes use of a short exit lane to observe the scene. The driver then moves forward about 100m at the side of the dual carriageway and make the sharp 90 degree turn into the Buckles Inn car park, carefully negotiating the narrow entrance. The appliance leaves the blue lights flashing at the scene as crews quickly assess the situation.

NJ22 EPX is next from near-by Tadcaster at 10:19 to back up York. Roles are established and crews don BA kit to enter the property. BA boards are set up at two different entrances to the building.

YK64 GXR arrives from Huntington at 10:32 to make pumps 3.

This is a joint exercise with West Yorkshire, so backing up the initial crews at 10:37 were YJ60 ELX and YK17 OAH from Garforth. West Yorkshire position their appliances to a different side of the building and prepare to enter through a different door.

YJ12 GTU is the second pump from Tadcaster and arrives at 10:39 to make pumps 6. The crew are briefed by the officer in charge and prepare to support their colleagues.

The last pump to arrive is Selby’s YJ22 EPY which is supported by Land Rover YJ12 DXF. The Land Rover is used for water rescue work and is unusual as having no ‘fire’ markings or crests on it.

The exercise was a success and all of the crews gained valuable experience in dealing with a large smoke-logged building.

Ambulance

YX73 LFE Yorkshire Ambulance Service Fiat Ducato

YX73 LFE
Yorkshire Ambulance Service
Fiat Ducato
This Fiat Ducato van is used by the Yorkshire Ambulance Service for patient information and engagement. Decorated with colourful geometric graphics it also has a retractable canopy fitted.