Where's the fire? In Manchester and Wigan silly. Indeed, Biglorryblog notes that the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service is the very first fire service in the Country to take delivery of a new Volvo FL truck. And here it is above, with that proud, haughty, yet somehow approachable look so redolent of the Swedish marque (Nurse...the medication is wearing off again...) Anyway blame it all on Agent Reg who tells me that it will be used as a driver training vehicle for members of the fire service and joins two older Volvo FL12’s currently based at driver training centres at Wigan and Philip Parks Fire Station.Hot stuff eh?
Meanwhile, Brigade Engineer, John Collier, tells BLB: "Recent industry changes to standardise all training vehicles meant that we had to search the market to ensure the strict criteria was met. Volvo was the only company to meet all of our requirements, in terms of the new regulations, price and delivery.” So it's hats off to those plucky chaps at Thomas Hardie Commercials who supplied the vehicle says BLB.
The 4x2 FL-240 rigid has air suspension on the drive axle together with a Euro-4 lump under the hood which will help the Fire Service as they strive to reduce their carbon footprint across the city. (Though clearly not as much as when they put out a fire...). The new truck has already received 'glowing' praise...err...perhaps not the right word...from instructors and pupils alike. Fire in the hole!
When I joined the fire service in New South Wales Australia in 1975 just about all of our vehicles were U.K. made Dennis pumpers powered by Rolls Royce or Jaguar engines and they were great vehicles.
What has happened to British engineering I was in England a few months ago and didn't see a real wholly made in England fire engine they were all Swedish Volvos or Scania's?
Dennis pumpers were the best emergency vehicle in the world!