Fire Engines Photos

I am not sure, but it looks like there is a ladder on top....

Added by Marcel on 23 March 2005.

Even as long ago as 1992, it was very common for pumpers in The Netherlands to have ground ladders, suction hoses and ceiling hooks all stored on a powered roof rack like this example. The main impetus came from the desire to deploy the standard two five meter hard suction hoses as rapidly as possible, given that the country has so many open water sources and hydrants are comparatively rarely used. Having invented the quick acting power suction hose rack, it was an obvious choice to add ladders and other long items on the same rack.

These can be operated electrically, hydraulically or by the vehicle compressed air system, with a redundant system if the main one fails for any reason. These type of storage systems are now universal in the Netherlands, and very common in most European countries too. Despite reported problems with one brigade in the UK, they are generally accepted as being very reliable.

Added by Rob Johnson on 31 March 2022.

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