Fire Engines Photos

Hello There.
Seems we have been again this year besides each other without knowing, I was at Champerret and Avenue de la Grande Armee.
Cheers
JP

Added by Jacques PETER on 30 July 2012.

Scanias and Benz in the Paris fleet. How things are changing! What's next - Volvo, MAN, perhaps DAF?

Added by Rob Johnson on 31 July 2012.

Indeed dear Jacques I think we were literally side by side since I made the Champs Elysees, Place de l'Etoile, and then the Esplanade des Invalides.

Dear Rob, the Paris fire brigade are now buying the equipment where it is the best product. Remind us they use equipment abroad for a long time, the Iveco vehicles are in the formal proof, and for over 20 years.

Added by Lambert Arnaud. on 02 August 2012.

When I lived in Paris, everything was Berliet, Saviem or Citroen - but of course in those days London had Dennis and Merryweather fire engines.

Added by Rob Johnson on 02 August 2012.

Isn't it required now under EC rules to do Europe-wide RFPs (tenders)? That would explain the diverse results in France and elsewhere.

Added by Mike Feldman on 03 August 2012.

Parisian firefighters actually have the need, through the Ministry of Defence to whom they belong to the organic authority, relying on European contracts.
But more pragmatic leaders "purchases" observe what is happening elsewhere. Do not forget that Renault Trucks example is no longer totally Renault but now widely shared with the Volvo group. And yet this company continues to provide the vast majority of French fire trucks, and especially for Paris Fire.
Currently, to my knowledge, the Paris fire brigade vehicles mainly use the following brands: Renault, Iveco, Mercedes, Scania. Some cars are built by Peugeot, mainly 307 and 308 models.

Added by Lambert Arnaud. on 03 August 2012.

Thanks, Mike and Lambert.
Now that I live in the US, I am out of touch with what is happening in Europe. This also explains why Italy's VdF (National Fire Service) is buying Benz and Volvo now, instead of (or as well as) Iveco. Last time I was in Italy, I visited four large city stations and saw nothing but Iveco appliances. But this focus on fewer manufacturers makes it less interesting. Many years ago, I visited a Belgian volunteer fire station which had one of each of seven different brands - British Commer and Bedford, US International, French Renault, and German Magirus, MAN and Benz!

Added by Rob Johnson on 03 August 2012.

I'm not surprised about Belgium, which (except for Van Hool buses) doesn't have domestic brands.

In the postwar period, US fire-truck chassis were popular in the Benelux and Scandinavian countries, and in Switzerland. For a lot of really good examples of this, check out historical-fire-engines.com and filter by country.

Later (according to what I've read) US fire-truck imports became too expensive in Europe compared to the European brands, so they're as rare now as European ones are over here.

When I first visited Europe in 1967, going from country to country I was fascinated by each country's protectionism -- with rare exception, commercial trucks, fire trucks, buses, locomotives, taxis, even private autos all came from that country's domestic industries. The EC rules are, I guess, causing things to look much more homogenized now. I see the value in free trade and lack of protectionism, but the enthusiast in me misses the country-to-country distinctiveness.

Added by Mike Feldman on 03 August 2012.

In fact today there are many protectionism on the purchase of vehicles by public services (fire, police, postal services, armed services, roads, ...) but it became a European protectionism. While some Asian manufacturers are still able to work around it (including relocating factories in Europe) U.S. automakers themselves are totally absent from these contracts. It is the same also with manufacturers from other countries like India, Russia, or China.

Added by Lambert Arnaud. on 04 August 2012.

Hi Lambert! Why are there no basket on the ariel apparutus in Paris?

Anders F.Sweden.

Added by Anders Fallström on 28 June 2014.

There are seven basket equipped ladders in the BSPP fleet of 60 total aerials, as well as the three Scania platforms.

Added by Rob Johnson on 04 July 2014.

BSPP has now added more of the same aerial platforms on Scania chassis. They either have a total of five by now, or have added five more for a total of eight - my sources were not too sure!

Added by Rob Johnson on 25 March 2019.

I think it is now eight, based on a license plate I saw recently!

Added by Rob Johnson on 28 March 2019.

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