Fire Engines Photos

BSPP prime movers tend - like a lot of French fire trucks - to be a bit smaller than those found in many other European countries.

The simple explanation is that most cities and towns, including Paris, have areas of older streets and buildings which predate the motor era and pose access problems for larger commercial vehicles.

BSPP and otherFrench fire services were relative latecomers to the pod system, compared to their counterparts in places like Germany and the Netherlands.

Added by Rob Johnson on 02 October 2022.

One for you maybe Rob, why do the French seem to insist on the bare minimum for lighting? This appears to be a relatively recent vehicle and has one beacon on the roof and no side/grill lights! Obviously American vehicles tend to be at the opposite end and lit like Christmas trees, but there's got to be a happy medium that is more effective than this!


Added by David on 05 October 2022.

Paris FB purely budget shrinking, and I'm not kidding! Sadly, a reality! Things are being discreetly cut to save money!

Added by PETER JACQUES on 05 October 2022.

I am not really sure, but the only reason I can think of is that they have been quite happy with their ability to get other road users to get out of their way with the existing lights, along with their very loud and distinctive two tone air horns. Just as in Germany, these have been around for decades, and do not distinguish between police, fire or ambulance services. I agree some if not the majority of US emergency services go crazy with the numbers of lights on their vehicles, not to mention the numerous color combinations!

Added by Rob Johnson on 05 October 2022.

JP - I think it can be argued that the "pod system" (WLF-AB in Germany) is actually a pretty good way of saving money, as it can cut the number of dedicated special purpose vehicles by up to two thirds. In some cases, it also saves staffing positions - depending on local decisions about crewing. On the subject of warning lights, I remember that even back in the 1960s and 70s French fire services seemed to rely on a single warning beacon.

Added by Rob Johnson on 09 December 2022.

OK Rob I agree. On another issue, Paris FD is facing a challenge with the pods as they can't be always brought direct on scenes, due to Paris' narrow streets and areas they must be deployed far away, therefore compact logistic trucks started to appear with hydraulic liftgate at the rear for unloading

Added by PETER JACQUES on 12 December 2022.

These are very popular in many smaller German towns and cities too. Some fire brigades have them pre-loaded, but it seems most keep them empty and load them up with different wheeled baskets containing a wide variety of special equipment, depending on what seems to be needed.

These can include foam, powder, purple K, CO2, hoses, fittings, generators, lighting, ventilation fans, cellar pumps, hazmat suits, special line, tunnel or water rescue gear, extra BA and/or cylinders and probably a lot of other rarified stuff!

Added by Rob Johnson on 12 December 2022.

picture 43828 captures a typical German example of a light logistics unit along these lines.

Added by Rob Johnson on 13 December 2022.

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