Fire service rapid responder built to tackle island’s lanes
A NEW rapid intervention vehicle will allow Guernsey Fire & Rescue to tackle blazes down some of Guernsey’s smallest lanes.
Built on a Toyota Hilux 4x4 chassis and with extra chunky tyres to give it extra off-road ability, the vehicle is a bespoke design for the service.
Chief Fire Officer Jon Le Page said the new vehicle was designed to go where larger fire appliances could not.
‘It is vitally important that our fleet has a vehicle which can go anywhere in the island, as there is no telling where an emergency will occur – and seconds really do count,’ he said. ‘This rapid intervention vehicle can go down our narrow lanes or across fields to begin dealing with the emergency while crews from the larger engines get as close as possible and begin deploying from there.’
The vehicle was built by firefighting equipment supplier Angloco and has been specially adapted for Guernsey.
It can hold up to 500 litres of water, giving it just under a 10-minute supply to tackle a blaze while back-up is on the way.
It will deploy with a crew of two, who can both put on breathing apparatus sets contained in the back of the cab.
It replaces a 17-year-old Pinzgauer 6x6 vehicle, which was designed for the same purpose but is now being converted into an off-road motorhome by its new UK owner.
Islanders will see the new vehicle out and about on the roads over the coming weeks as firefighters undertake familiarisation training before it goes into active service.
Mr Le Page said the vehicle had come in within the set budget, however the cost is not being released by the States of Guernsey at this time as it is commercially sensitive.
The full figure will be released in the States accounts.
