Fire Engines Photos

Fire Engine Photos

No: 4411   Contributor: Mateusz Czajkowski   Year: 2007   Manufacturer: Volvo   Country: Poland

304[w]22 GBA 2,4/24 - Volvo FL614 - Warsaw, Poland

304[W]22 is a 1999 Volvo FL614 medium rescue pump by ISS Wawrzaszek. The vehicle is stationed at the State Fire Service Fire and Rescue Unit 4. Thanks to a wide range of equipment carried, the vehicle is a truly universal appliance. It has a 2400 l. water tank, a 240 l. foam concentrate tank and a 2400 lpm pump. The vehicle is manned by 6 firefighters. The Volvo FL614 GBA is considered to be one of the best frontline appliances ever designed by ISS Wawrzaszek, thanks to spacious lockers, ensuring easy access to all equipment, a very comfortable crew cab and a very robust and durable chassis – which were all complete novelty back in the late 1990s in Poland.

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Fire station number 4 of the Warsaw Fire Brigade was established in 1851, taking over the number of the Praga station, which was since then referred to as No.5 (it still is today). The 18th Century Koszary Mirowskie (Mier’s Barracks, were the Royal Calvary used to be stationed) were adapted for the fire brigade. Although the station complex was damaged during and partially dismantled (including the intact observation tower) after the Second World War, it is still used by the Fire Brigade. In the mid-1970s, the destroyed part was rebuilt, with a historic façade concealing a thoroughly modern fire station. Today, the rebuilt southern wing of the complex still houses the fire station, and the original northern wing is home to the Firefighting Museum. It is the only one of the original 19th Century units that still operates from its original location. In the very long term (perhaps 15-20 years), a thorough revitalization of the historic Chłodna Street is planned. The fire station could than be moved to a new location, and the complex could be taken over by the museum. There are also plans for the demolished observation tower to be rebuilt.

Station 4 is the second busiest unit in Warsaw. The station’s area encompasses many important locations, including the Old Town (UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Palce of Culture and Science (Poland’s tallest building), the Warsaw Central Railway Station, the University of Warsaw, the city hall, the National Theatre, 3 Metro (underground/subway) stations and the bulk of the capital’s high-rises, including the notorius Złote Tarasy (Golden Terraces) office & shoppong complex, infamous for causing up to 5-6 runs per day…due to a very sensitive fire alarm system.

The sations vehicles include:

304-21 – GBMt Renault Midliner S150 – light rescue pump;
304-22 – GBA Volvo FL614 - medium rescue pump;
304-25 – GCBA Man 18.280 – heavy rescue pump;
304-26 – GCBA Renault Kerax – heavy tanker;
304-50 – SPgaz Renault Premium – breathing apparatus unit;
304-53 – SHD 37 MB Econic – Bronto Skylift aerial platform;
304-90 – SLOp Ford Focus – unit commander’s car.

http://kmpsp.inf.sgsp.edu.pl/jednostki/jrg/4.php
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The above description was co-edited and translated by Konrad Nowak