RAPID RESPONSE UNIT

Built on the Iveco 70C18D chassis with bodywork by Emergency One UK at Cumnock, at a cost of £195,000 each, this is an innovative Light Pumping Appliance for the SFRS. There will be 40 of these vehicles built in 2018. There will be two variations one for Rural and one for Urban locations. The first one is expected to go on the run in September 2018.

The Rural variation which will carry a crew of 4 Firefighters will carry amongst other things a fully integrated Coldcut Cobra C360 system with the Emergency One CANbus control system  and eCobra digital colour display including the Coldcut Cobra Multi Purpose Nozzle system, a Godiva GP8/5 Light Portable Pump (plumbed into an onboard water tank which can be easily removed for remote working), Clan Tools Lukas eDraulic Combination Tool (SC358E2), two Breathing Apparatus sets (in one of the lockers), four lengths of 75mm and four lengths of 45mm hose, metal bucket, chimney rods, stirrup pump and hose reel with chimney nozzle, standpipe key and bar, Peli floodlight, Attack Branch, Dry Powder Extinguisher, FLIR K2 Thermal Imaging camera, Defibrillator, Positive Pressure Ventilation Fan, Toolbox, 4.8 Metre ladder, Hosereel, two lengths of Hard Suction, Manual Stem light. The onboard tank carries 740 litres of water.

The Urban variation will carry a crew of 3 Firefighters. 

In the first batch of 33 vehicles, 10 will go to stations and 1 spare in each SDA. A further 7 have since been added to this order.

Among the stations getting an RRU in the first batch are:-

Bettyhill
Corriecravie
Denny
Foyers
Gourock
(From SFRS WEB, Twitter and Facebook posts)

The first RRU to go on the run, ST18OYO, was at Valtos on the Isle of Lewis on Monday 24th September 2018. Following this will be Lochmaddy, Papa Westray and Hoy.

PHOTOS of an RRU.

 Allocation of RRUs

SFRS demonstrates the latest firefighting technology 

Many of Scotland’s firefighters will soon be armed with the very latest firefighting equipment – capable of blasting through concrete and steel.
The Ultra High Pressure Lances, branded Coldcut Cobra, will enable crews to tackle the fire quickly from outside of the building by injecting high pressure water through walls and doors.
This state-of-the-art equipment will enhance the Service’s existing capabilities, improving both public and firefighter safety.
And the proven technology will be carried by a bespoke fleet of 40 new fire engines, representing a £7.6million investment in the safety of the country’s most diverse and rural communities. The kit was demonstrated at SFRS' National Training Centre on Tuesday, August 28. The move comes as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service seeks to transform to meet new and emerging risks.
Alasdair Hay is the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Chief Officer. He said: “This is the very pinnacle of modern firefighting – with this proven technology our crews can begin firefighting within seconds of arrival by cutting straight to the heart of the flames. Combined with these state-of-the art appliances our retained firefighters will be able to respond quickly and decisively to keep saving lives. But crucially, we will be able to fight many fires without putting our firefighters’ lives in danger by sending them into a burning building. Retained and volunteer firefighters are the most amazing people, dedicated to protecting their communities, and it is right and proper that we provide them with the tools for the job.”
Stations across Scotland, from Corriecravie in Arran to Foyers in Highlands and from Papa Westray on the Orkney Isles to Denny in Falkirk, are amongst the volunteer and RDS stations which have been identified to benefit from the investment. The bespoke appliances can carry up to four firefighters, are more agile than their traditional counterparts and have been designed to meet the needs of Scotland’s most rural areas. Built by Scottish firm Emergency One, each one will also carry a life-saving defibrillator. And 32, 18-tonne fire engines will also shortly be welcomed into the SFRS fleet.
Chief Officer Hay continued: “The stark reality is that society is changing in Scotland. People no longer live and work in the same place – they travel and commute out of their towns and villages, and this can make it difficult to muster crews during the day. We need to change and adapt, to look at a more flexible but safe means of responding when our communities need us. These appliances and this technology is merely a first step as we move to empower our retained firefighters. This investment is a clear sign of our commitment to our retained firefighters and the communities they are dedicated to protecting.”
He added: “This is essentially a ground-up rethink of how we deliver our retained service – getting the right resources, in the right place, at the right time.”
Minister for Community Safety, Ash Denham, said: “I was delighted to attend the live demonstration of these new firefighter appliances. The use of this proven technology will make a real difference in enhancing both firefighter and community safety whilst delivering environmental benefits in terms of fuel economy and water use. The introduction of these new vehicles is an important part of SFRS Service Transformation, which the Scottish Government is supporting through the investment of £15.5m additional spending capacity for the Service in 2018-19. Rural communities across Scotland will benefit from this investment and I am especially pleased to see that these new bespoke appliances are being built in Scotland by Emergency One.”
(SFRS WEB site News 28/8/2018)

NEW State-Of-The-Art Fire Vehicle To Be Stationed In Gourock 

Gourock fire station is to receive a new £195,000 Rapid Response Unit with the latest firefighting equipment.
The new, smaller, fire appliance will be stationed in the town from next year. It will replace one of the two traditional-sized vehicles currently based there.
The new vehicle features an ultra-high pressure lance system that allows firefighters to attack a blaze from outside a building, a positive pressure ventilation fan to allow faster access into a burning property and a thermal image camera.
Gourock has a retained fire station which means the firefighters respond to emergency calls via a pager from their home or place of work at any time of the day or night.
Graeme Binning is the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s local senior officer for East Renfrewshire, Renfrewshire and Inverclyde. He said: “This technology is fast, efficient and proven. With it our crews can begin firefighting within seconds of arrival by cutting straight to the heart of the flames.
“Combined with this new state-of-the art appliance, our retained firefighters will be able to respond quickly and decisively to keep saving lives in Inverclyde.
“But crucially, we will be able to fight many fires without putting our firefighters’ lives in danger by sending them into a burning building. Our retained firefighters are absolutely dedicated to protecting their communities and we are arming them with the right tools to do just that.”
Members of Inverclyde Council’s police and fire scrutiny committee were given a demonstration of the unit and the equipment on board.
Convener councillor Tommy McVey said: “Firefighting -- fire safety -- is changing. New, improved technology is continuing to be developed and this is another step along that road.
“This is a brand new appliance and the kit on it is excellent. It gives firefighters a lot of flexibility and it can only enhance fire safety in Inverclyde.”
(Inverclyde Now 1/10/2018)

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