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Jelcz/Metalchem tractor-drawn tanker Łęczna
Jelcz/Metalchem – tractor-drawn tanker – Łęczna
POLISH CLASSICS SERIES – brought to you by firerescue.pl
If I was to name one problem which chronically gives Polish firefighters a terrible headache (apart from insufficient financial resources), I would say it is water supply, or, more precisely, the lack of it. Even though hydrants do exist in Poland, one might get the impression there weren't any. The problem lies with maintenance. Across the country, water boards almost universally tend to ignore one of their statutory duties, and one on which public safety depends. When the first appliances arrive at an incident in the UK, USA, or Germany, they are quickly connected to the nearest hydrant and the water supply problem is solved (unless the blaze is absolutely huge or happens in the middle of nowhere). In Poland, this is where the 'true fun' begins. The local water board, city planners, or whoever is responsible, send firefighters on an easter egg hunt. The underground hydrant is usually hidden somewhere and the sign indicating its position had been removed long ago. The above-ground hydrant is usually filled with rubbish, and the water pressure is pathetic.
This is why a standard, 'medium' Polish fire engine ('GBA', acronym for 'firefighting [medium] tank/pump) carries no less than 2-2,5 tonnes of water. If this proves not to be enough, a 'GCBA' ('firefighting heavy tank/pump'), can be deployed, with additional 4-6 (2-axle-class), 8-10 (3-axle-class), 12-14 (4-axle-class) liters of water and/or foam. If this is still no enough, a tractor-drawn tanker, like the one above, can be sent to the fire. The most widespread version – consisting of a Jelcz 417 tractor and a semi-trailer-mounted Metalchem tank, capable of carrying with 18 tonnes of water. Almost without exception, they carry a M 8/8-class (800lpm @ 8 bar) motor pumps, used to replenish the supply from any accesable source.
The above version is less common, and yet both the tractor and the semi-trailer came from the very same manufacturers. The Jelcz is an older 317, and the tank has a capacity of 20 tonnes. At the back of the semi-tariler, a M 8/8 PO-5-type portable pump is carried, along with some length of both suction and delivery hose, as well as branches. What makes this one even more rare is the water monitor mounted on the top of the semi-trailer. It was installed by the station crew and is not pre-connected to the pump – a line of delivery hose needs to be laid. This set was manufactured in the early 1980s.
The tractor-drawn tankers are not used every day, but you can see one at almost every major fire. In extreme cases, several of these provide a shuttle water supply service to frontline appliances. They also see action whenever running water supply is interruped, providing a vital service for the households involved. However, only few of the tankers (these being the most recent purchases) have the capability of supplying drinking water.
* * *
The vehicle is based at the State Fire Service fire & rescue unit in Łęczna, eastern Poland.
More photos from Łęczna: www.firerescue.pl/thumbnails.php?album=127
And here's a modern tractor-drawn tanker (SFS station 17, Warsaw): www.fire-engine-photos.com/picture/number4350.asp
(The picture was taken in September 2008)
Jelcz/Metalchem – tractor-drawn tanker – Łęczna
POLISH CLASSICS SERIES – brought to you by firerescue.pl
If I was to name one problem which chronically gives Polish firefighters a terrible headache (apart from insufficient financial resources), I would say it is water supply, or, more precisely, the lack of it. Even though hydrants do exist in Poland, one might get the impression there weren't any. The problem lies with maintenance. Across the country, water boards almost universally tend to ignore one of their statutory duties, and one on which public safety depends. When the first appliances arrive at an incident in the UK, USA, or Germany, they are quickly connected to the nearest hydrant and the water supply problem is solved (unless the blaze is absolutely huge or happens in the middle of nowhere). In Poland, this is where the 'true fun' begins. The local water board, city planners, or whoever is responsible, send firefighters on an easter egg hunt. The underground hydrant is usually hidden somewhere and the sign indicating its position had been removed long ago. The above-ground hydrant is usually filled with rubbish, and the water pressure is pathetic.
This is why a standard, 'medium' Polish fire engine ('GBA', acronym for 'firefighting [medium] tank/pump) carries no less than 2-2,5 tonnes of water. If this proves not to be enough, a 'GCBA' ('firefighting heavy tank/pump'), can be deployed, with additional 4-6 (2-axle-class), 8-10 (3-axle-class), 12-14 (4-axle-class) liters of water and/or foam. If this is still no enough, a tractor-drawn tanker, like the one above, can be sent to the fire. The most widespread version – consisting of a Jelcz 417 tractor and a semi-trailer-mounted Metalchem tank, capable of carrying with 18 tonnes of water. Almost without exception, they carry a M 8/8-class (800lpm @ 8 bar) motor pumps, used to replenish the supply from any accesable source.
The above version is less common, and yet both the tractor and the semi-trailer came from the very same manufacturers. The Jelcz is an older 317, and the tank has a capacity of 20 tonnes. At the back of the semi-tariler, a M 8/8 PO-5-type portable pump is carried, along with some length of both suction and delivery hose, as well as branches. What makes this one even more rare is the water monitor mounted on the top of the semi-trailer. It was installed by the station crew and is not pre-connected to the pump – a line of delivery hose needs to be laid. This set was manufactured in the early 1980s.
The tractor-drawn tankers are not used every day, but you can see one at almost every major fire. In extreme cases, several of these provide a shuttle water supply service to frontline appliances. They also see action whenever running water supply is interruped, providing a vital service for the households involved. However, only few of the tankers (these being the most recent purchases) have the capability of supplying drinking water.
* * *
The vehicle is based at the State Fire Service fire & rescue unit in Łęczna, eastern Poland.
More photos from Łęczna: www.firerescue.pl/thumbnails.php?album=127
And here's a modern tractor-drawn tanker (SFS station 17, Warsaw): www.fire-engine-photos.com/picture/number4350.asp
(The picture was taken in September 2008)
Jelcz
