After 27 years the BSPP are finally reverting to separating first responding light pumpers from basic life support ambulances, and will no longer be buying these rather unusual combination fire engine and ambulance units. JP has beautifully documented their evolution in this series of photos, and for many years they served the citizens of Paris so well in both of their dual roles. They evolved a lot in their design and layout, with increased capacities in both fire fighting and medical intervention capabilities.
But the increased demands for medical response as a result of both Covid and the aging of the city population eventually meant that they were responding to so many medical calls that their average availability to respond to fire incidents was compromised. So now there is a gradual transition to their replacement by dedicated light pumpers without medical compartments and separate fully fledged ambulances. This is a model which is embraced by the other fire services in France and indeed in other countries like Germany and the USA - where fire services are usually also responsible for emergency medical services.
But the increased demands for medical response as a result of both Covid and the aging of the city population eventually meant that they were responding to so many medical calls that their average availability to respond to fire incidents was compromised. So now there is a gradual transition to their replacement by dedicated light pumpers without medical compartments and separate fully fledged ambulances. This is a model which is embraced by the other fire services in France and indeed in other countries like Germany and the USA - where fire services are usually also responsible for emergency medical services.
Added by Rob Johnson on 26 September 2022.