Fire Engines Photos

I believe the V8 Range Rovers were used as Forward Control Units - vehicles used at smaller incidents, and because of their size and speed, they could get an officer to an incident pretty smartish - even through London's notoriously congested streets.

On U-TUBE there is an extraordinary 'on-board' video taken from one of these vehicles as it carves its way from Paddington fire station to an AFA at Charing Cross railway station - a journey that takes it passed HM The Queen's plush City pad, and around Trafalgar Square the wrong way! Whether you view it as skillfull or reckless it's still a must-see vid.



Added by Yelp Bullhorn on 29 January 2010.

Yelp B. - did the FCU Officer have a Chauffeur(Driver) in his Range Rover, to do the driving; or was he driving solo(DIY) ?

Fancy, driving and navigating by your-self, 'Lights & Siren, across congested London.... I'd much prefer just watching the 'YouTube' video !

Regards, from Canada,
Pat_R-B

Added by Pat Rivers-Bowerman on 31 January 2010.

Pat, I've no idea; Sorry, mate. But if I had to guess, I would say there were two on-board. But the route they take is a fairly common one: I used to go that way when I worked as a Nation-wide courier and was tasked with delivering to the city centre. But I used to stick to traffic regulations when I drove through Trafalgar Square. More's the pity!!!

As regards the video, I just love listening to the V8 growl and the squeal of rubber. And the looks on the tourists' faces are priceless as it scythes its way through the throng of London's ridiculously busy streets!

Added by Yelp Bullhorn on 01 February 2010.

I agree with you Yelp, a MUST SEE vid on YouTube,skilled perhaps not reckless? Hmm,I would have loved the chance! Beats a market day in a small town.

Added by Gary Simpson on 01 February 2010.

Just had a look at the video,i think a lot of the brain dead driving was for the benefit of the camera.

Added by Bristol Bob on 02 February 2010.

You say that, Bob, but what would have happened had an inferno swept through the railway station and killed dozens, as has happened in the capital a number of times?

All emergency services whether they be police, fire or ambulance - and whether they're carrying water and ladders or knowledge and foresight - needs to get the scene of an incident as quickly as possible. City centre emergency service drivers have a proven method of negotiating city centre congestion. You should see some of the 'on-board' videos of Soho fire crews and see exactly what sort of madness they are faced with on a daily basis. When you have to get there, you have to do what's needed.

"Assistant Divisional Officer Bullhorn?"
"Yes, Your Honour?"
"Why exactly did it take you twenty minutes to arrive at the incident that claimed twenty-six lives?"
"Because I didn't want anybody on U-TUBE to think I was being brain-dead."

Added by Yelp Bullhorn on 03 February 2010.

Been trying to watch the video for two days now and can't for the life of me find it on YouTube anywhere! Can anybody help? :(

Added by Yelp Bullhorn on 03 February 2010.

Yelp try this link www.youtube.com/watch?v=epME8YCNrR0

Steve

Added by Oscarthedog on 03 February 2010.

Yelp,type in LONDON FIRE BRIGADE RANGE ROVER.
If it had been a life saving appliance maybe the driving could be excused,but it is a car with a radio in it,so what if it is a few minutes late.
It looked like the incident was pretty well over,no blue lights flashing on the one pump you see,i bet the STOP had come in before the Rangy arrived.

Added by Bristol Bob on 03 February 2010.

They're all on this one....loads of London jobs and turnouts.
www.youtube.com/user/SECAmbCFR

Added by Kyle on 03 February 2010.

Is it LFB policy allowing driving against traffic? I drove police wagons and fire appliances on the streets of Japan and the US, but never against traffic. Past that, impressive. Smart, that the officer operated the siren controls, leaving the driver to concentrate on driving.

Out of curiousity, does driver training in the LFB include "real world" driving? I was watching a TV show here, that had an episode that showed English police practicing car chases on the open road, above the posted speed limits. Does LFB do that?

Added by David L on 04 February 2010.

David L, I think all UK fire services train their drivers 'on-the-bell' and at speed. On YouTube there are a few good videos showing trainee drivers doing this. The training is called EFAD - emergency fire appliance driving. Search for 'EFAD'.

They can go for miles. I know of a friend who drives fire appliances. And when he was at driving school, he regularly went on runs into mid Wales from the English midlands - covering a distance upwards of two hundred miles in a day. He reckons it was great, apart from the six hours of sirens that is!

Added by Yelp Bullhorn on 05 February 2010.

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