Fire Engines Photos

Hi Pete - missed the open day unfortunately - can you confirm the registration and if this is the 1st pump (assuming HX06 GMO is still the second). Jon.

Added by Jon Godden on 26 July 2009.

Looks sharp (sorry Dennis lovers). Anyone have an idea of what the cab abd chasis for this Scania might cost. Thanks

Added by Todd on 27 July 2009.

Todd, around £20000 cheaper than a Dennis on my understanding, but then, how can this compare?

Added by John Stott on 27 July 2009.

£2.25 , well that is all they are worth as a fire appliance .....

I expect in the region of £180 -195,000 on the road and kitted out but could well be wrong !

Added by John Johnstone on 27 July 2009.

Hi Jon,registration of this one is:-HX58 KHW,I think that Horsham's is now on the run to.It was'nt there when I visited the station to get a picture on 18th,July of the Emergency Tender so cannot confirm this.
Jon,the old first being same reg as the second I beleave is now the third(retained)pump at the station.Once they finally get the new Scania/JDC HRT on the run in due course it will be sadly a complete Scania line-up(SIGN OF THE TIMES).
I will try and get a picture,but it will not compare to the picture I took back around 1977/78 when Dennis/ERF/Ford/Rangerover were the classics of the West Sussex Fire Brigade.Some of the appliances were still even in their yellow livery and lets not forget the Rangerover/Carmichael RT in that striking Day-Glow Orange livery-Brilliant.

Added by Pete Matten on 27 July 2009.

Thanks for the input. Just comparing to engines here in the U S that amount sounds like a lot. At least I have an idea for comparison purposes.

Added by Todd on 27 July 2009.

Todd, without being too cynical, the reason they are so expensive here is that most EU countries subsidise their commercial vehicle makers, the fit on them is decided by individual brigades and this piles the pounds on in more ways than just weight! This has the appalling effect of throwing the handling of a commercial design and we then spend thousands trying to rectify faults. Meanwhile, specialist makers go to the wall.

Added by John Stott on 27 July 2009.

Do we actually make anything in the UK now for the emergency services?.Volvo/BMW/Mercedes Police cars,Renault/Mercedes/DAF Ambulances,and of course Volvo/Scania/MAN/Mercedes fire appliances.
I'm not sure whats coming next,but things don't look to good for the future of the British Emergency Services manufacturers of old.Sadly its the sign of the times,and times are not good.

Added by Pete Matten on 27 July 2009.

Pete, just hope for the ratepayer saying enough! One or two councillors I know are taking a great deal of interest in fire appliance procurement. They have logged on here to look at the discussions and read them with great interest. I know questions are being asked in two authorities about the amount being spent on fire and police vehicle liveries alone!

Added by John Stott on 28 July 2009.

Are they any old British Emergency Services manufacturers left ?

What i can't understand how the government has not stepped in re Dennis ? look at it this way a " real " fire appliace but in our country means uk jobs, less un-employment, more chance of future jobs, more money into the government via tax on both the vehicles price and wages .

A prime example of this government's attitude ( ie don't care ) was LDV, it went under but did ask for help and what did a minister say about it ? quote :- " we were to busy " so if they think like that wrongly, i admit, why should we think different ?

We have the ability to revive Dennis and have a uk sourced appliance that is upto the job, sadly, no one seems to care except a few of us on here .

Added by John Johnstone on 28 July 2009.

Know exactly where you are coming from. I tried to get them to get a Dennis for our replacement fire appliance(Dennis now sold again in Australia) but where told by fleet section that they are not a proven vehicle, HELLO! Also that they were too expensive, but in the end they went for a Mercedes and get what, in the motor bay price ended up actually more then the Dennis.

Added by Aaron Bischoff on 30 July 2009.

Aaron nothing suprises me nowadays, globalisation has a lot to answer for my friend. I love the "can do" attitude of the Volunteer Brigades in Ozz, we need it, we make it! Not a fleet manager in sight and a good result at a good price! I am a levers man and proud of it, todays machines are overpriced and under performing with more emphasis placed on looks than longevity, but then what do my generation know?

Added by John Stott on 30 July 2009.

G'day John, we also have an old International acco from late 1980's. It may now start to see a little surface rust on some of the edges but it is still a great workhorse, goes well, is honest and looks like a fire engine. Our 2003 isuzu might look nice and shiny but deep down Ill have the old girl anyday, even if i know it's not a Dennis!

Added by Aaron Bischoff on 31 July 2009.

Good to hear Aaron, an old oppo of mine was an NSW volunteer moons ago, they had a Dennis that looked like she had just been made, she was twenty five and still doing four days on a stretch some months at a bushy!

Added by John Stott on 31 July 2009.

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