Fire Engines Photos

Petros, Are you saying that your firemen are allowed to strike and NOT staff their vehicles? This is not allowed here in the U.S. and I am pretty sure it is not allowed in Canada. I didn't think that was allowed in any 1st rate country as that puts the public at great risk.

Added by Todd on 03 November 2010.

In France, the right to strike is in the Constitution (really).

Added by Michael Feldman on 03 November 2010.

In Poland, the State Fire Service are not allowed to strike, i.e. they cannot refuse to work. Of course they can organise pickets, fly trade union banners, put signs and flags on the stations and vehicles...but when the bells go down, they have to jump on the appliances and respond to the emergency. Simple as that.

Added by Konrad Nowak on 03 November 2010.

Emergency services have the right to strike. As do all workers in the UK. It is a last resort, and a decision not taken lightly.

The government has contingency plans for such instances of the emergency services being on strike. It used to be the British army using the green goddesses. Since the British government cut the armed forces back this is no longer an option.

London signed a contract worth £12million with a private firm called Asset Co. to provide their contingency plan cover.

Asset Co use their appliances (on lease to the LFB hence the London motors) and their staff.

Added by Davey G on 03 November 2010.

Thanks for the history lesson. I did not know that.

Added by Todd on 03 November 2010.

Well done Petros, I wondered if anyone would get any pictures of the Assetco firefighters!

Added by Murray Beale on 03 November 2010.

Police cannot strike {at least they can't at the moment), things might change there.

Added by Barrie Green on 03 November 2010.

Not all workers in the UK have the right to strike. The Armed Forces (Army, RAF & RN) do not have any sort of union and no formal industrial action can ever take place.

During Operation Fresco (when we covered the fire service in 2002/2003) we used the Green Goddess tenders, and some "Red Goddess" appliances provided by the Fire Service College in Morton in Marsh. No modern appliances were used because of an apparent "insurance loophole". The Green Goddesses were Home Office owned and have since all been sold privately. This is why the Military will not cover any further industrial action by the FBU.

Added by Franklin on 03 November 2010.

All the 45ft ladders seem to have been removed.

Added by Neal Glover on 03 November 2010.

Dear All,

We've received a lot of comments on this photo as could be expected.
We really appreciate that the current strike and everything related to it evokes 'strong feelings'.
But both editors of this site are of the opinion that this site is not to place to vent these (we've been here before).
Please be aware that we will limit the discussion to factual, non-opinionated, non-repetitive contributions only, without going into the details of the reasons for the strike itself.

Added by Marcel Gommers on 04 November 2010.

Yes Neal. Their 2 week training didn't cover slipping and pitching of the 13.5m.

Added by Davey G on 04 November 2010.

These appliances do not carry 135 ladders as they are pumps. All pumps still carry the White pole thing (I do not know the name of it!!!) but no 135 ladders only 10 metres that can be seen opposite the cat ladders.

Added by David Jones on 04 November 2010.

The white pole thing is a beam gantry for the 135 ladder they are all standard machines so a 135 could be carried if required.A lot of brigades have removed these ladders from pumps to save on costs, I know North Wales do this

Added by Dave Price on 05 November 2010.

i think the white pole thing is to asist in the sliping of the ladder to prevent injury to f/f backs and is found on most modern machines

Added by Ian Mc on 05 November 2010.

Having used a beam gantry that is carrying a 135 ladder I have to say whilst they can carry these ladders in reality the ladder is really not designed to be carried in this style - its ok for smaller/lighter ladders but a gantry and rollers are a far more practical way of removing a ladder from the top of an appliance - the problem being with the 'working at height regulations' and the fact that 'like police officers seem to be getting younger' - firefighters appear 'to be getting shorter' so a means was devised for getting the ladder down to them without them having to reach up or climb on the appliance and risk falling off it.

Added by Rick Loudon on 05 November 2010.

That would be the ladder gantry to aid in slipping the 135 or a 105 ladder, fitted to reduce injury and stretching injuries.

Added by Bobe on 05 November 2010.

I understand what it does, I was trying to explain why they are pumps not pump ladders.

Added by David Jones on 05 November 2010.

the white beam is indeed the gantry system for carrying and slipping the 135. the locking handle can just be seen at the pump bay.

Added by Stevie Murray on 05 November 2010.

Please add your comments about this picture using the form below.

Comments

Your Name

Your email address - this will be shown on the page and will allow the system to notify you of further comments added to this picture.