Lincolnshire fire service invests £1m in new technical rescue fleet

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service now has seven new Technical Rescue Vehicles (TRV), boosting the efficiency of its operations with bigger and better vehicles. The design has been informed by input from firefighters and used incident data to improve how the service can respond to a range of incidents.

The TRVs carry specialised equipment for incidents such as water rescue and animal rescue as well as heavy rescue equipment used to shore up buildings to prevent building collapses.. They join a range of vehicles and equipment that all play vital roles in operations. The previous rescue units had reached the end of their serviceable life.

“Investing in these TRVs means that a wider selection of equipment can be transported to incidents, and without the need for trailers, making them more efficient. They can also be used more flexibly for a much wider range of incidents, offering greater resilience.”

Cllr Lindsey Cawrey, executive councillor for Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue.

The vehicles made by MAN weigh 5.5t, with three of them being used to provide support and welfare functions for incidents and others are large enough to carry inflatable boats used for water rescue. Previously the service had to tow the boats behind the vehicle.

“The vehicles have been ergonomically designed to make things easier for our crews with special shelving to help with getting to equipment, enhanced and additional lighting together with 360 cameras, an intelligent charging system, and a platform lift to assist with the handling of heavy equipment too.”

Mark Baxter, Chief Fire Officer.

The new TRVs will be stationed strategically around the county to provide maximum coverage and optimum response. They attend specialised activities such as road traffic collisions involving heavy vehicles, incidents involving large animals or water related incidents where there is a danger to life and also enhance and support general operations.