Fire Engines Photos

Interesting idea; curious as to why its located in Newcastle? Also was there no move to create some kind of super-rescue to combine this, the rope rescue and the animal rescue (which I think is a Unimog at Cannock?) thanks, David

Added by David on 12 March 2013.

From my own experience in Hereford & Worcester, I would imagine that the biggest problem with the "super rescue unit" idea is that it would be so difficult to keep the firefighter's training and competencies up to date in so many different skills - all the time having to make sure that they were also up to date in their firefighting skills and the operation of any other special appliances on their station. I was a member of H&W's water rescue team and the continuation training took up an awful of of our time. Also, it made sense having other teams (such as the line rescue guys at Malvern) on other stations so that they were still available when we were dealing with widespread flooding (for instance).

Added by Mel Turbutt on 12 March 2013.

Don't know about a 'super' rescue squad, David, but I think Newcastle has had a rescue boat for some years. Its location allows it to cover the north of the county - a place of numerous 'wet' risks. One of which being the Harecastle canal tunnel near Kidsgrove - the scene of several interesting incidents over the years. An identical vehicle at Tamworth Belgrave covers the south.

Cannock's Unimog is first and foremost a 4x4 water tender, but with enhanced animal rescue capability.

Added by Yelp Bullhorn on 14 March 2013.

I was reading the most recent fleet list (April this year, I believe) and it states the WRUs have been mothballed. Also it seems to suggest that Stafford has lost both its RT and TRV. Any further info about this?

Added by David on 15 August 2014.

Not sure, David. I do know that SF&RS do intend to reduce the number of rescue tenders to a measly one. I assume the SS is for the chop. Stafford's ALP will not be replaced when it retires (might have already happened. Not sure.) can't keep up with the cull. All I am sure of is, like many brigades, Staffs are losing resources at an alarming and unjustifiable rate.

Added by Yelp Bullhorn on 29 August 2014.

Staffords TRV was transferred to Cannock about 2 years ago. I was under the assumption Staffords ALP had been withdrawn from service however it was at the MOD Stafford open day 30th August 2014. Earlier in the year the ALP was operating out of Sandyford for a month or so disputing for the Longton ALP, as it was too big to fit inside the temporary fire station at Longton.
As for the old two ford transit water rescue units, one was at Kidsgrove last week still marked up as a WRU carrying Tamworth on the door whilst the ex Newcastle on is at workshops and lost its light bar.

Added by Adam on 05 September 2014.

You're right, David on all accounts: the Ford Transit water rescue units at Tamworth (DX58 FVW) and Newcastle (DX07 HMA) have indeed been mothballed. But Staffordshire's water rescue capability has not been sidelined. They have replaced the two Ford Transits with two new Mercedes Sprinter 516CDi 4x4s. DX13 FBV has gone to Tamworth Belgrave, and DX13 FBU is at Newcastle.

Stafford's Dennis RT has indeed gone, as has their TRV. But, for now anyway, the ALP is still operational.

Added by Yelp Bullhorn on 06 September 2014.

DX10 EYO, Stafford's former TRV is now on-the-run at Cannock.

Added by Yelp Bullhorn on 06 September 2014.

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