Prime movers are slowly gaining ground among French fire services, but specialized single-purpose vehicles are still very widespread.
I think the main reason that this concept is gaining ground rather slowly is that many existing specials intended for primary use in urban environments are relatively small, while many other units such as foam pumpers and water tankers are already just too large and too heavy for a typical pod system.
As long as departments are replacing like for like, the opportunity to switch everything to a pod system is limited.
In Germany, where the system was invented, a conscious effort has been made for fifty years to size the pods and specify a payload weight which makes them completely interchangeable. This is also true in other countries where they are now universal, such as the Netherlands.
I think the main reason that this concept is gaining ground rather slowly is that many existing specials intended for primary use in urban environments are relatively small, while many other units such as foam pumpers and water tankers are already just too large and too heavy for a typical pod system.
As long as departments are replacing like for like, the opportunity to switch everything to a pod system is limited.
In Germany, where the system was invented, a conscious effort has been made for fifty years to size the pods and specify a payload weight which makes them completely interchangeable. This is also true in other countries where they are now universal, such as the Netherlands.
Added by Rob Johnson on 22 May 2017.