Hey Andreas, that is one interesting LADDER?! I'd have a problem trying to get up it these days, , What's a "PS" truck? And I'd love one of those helmets, real neat!!
Pav - In Paris the PS is a unique combination light pumper and BLS ambulance. You can see various examples on this site. But the one in picture 25733 is an older third generation unit. The current fleet is mark IV and V, which look entirely different...
They have a 1, 000 LPM pump, a 600 liter tank, two one-man hose carts, BA, ladders (including a hook ladder, as seen in the photo) a first aid hose reel, CAFS and a full ambulance module capable of transporting one patient on a stretcher.
Each of the 74 fire stations has at least one, crewed by a five person team, as well as regular ambulances and more conventional 2000 LPM pumps, aerials and special rigs.
BTW the BSPP invented the hook ladder in the 1820s and still use them very frequently, with at least one carried on all pumpers.
Fortunately, as the BSPP are a brigade of the French army, they tend to be young, fit, enthusiastic and ready to follow orders, so hook ladder drills are a daily routine - and hook ladder rescues are not at all uncommon!
What's a "PS" truck? And I'd love one of those helmets, real neat!!
Added by Pavel, Perth, Western Australia on 29 October 2010.