North Fire releases first images of new rapid intervention vehicle

Yorkshire-based firefighting appliance manufacturer, North Fire, has released images of its newly developed rapid intervention vehicle (RIV), with double-figures in production for delivery into UK fire and rescue services in the coming months.

The all-new RIV has retained original OEM features and functionality such as lights, bumpers and cameras, all incorporated into a UK-manufactured body that fits seamlessly with the Ford Ranger chassis, creating a completely productionised and professional aesthetic. It is also available on Toyota, Isuzu and VW chassis.

“We’re thrilled to announce and unveil this portion of our product development this year – which we’ve put a lot of passion into. In many ways, an RIV showcases the skillset of a manufacturer more than any other category of vehicle due to the strict demands required on weight efficiency and so we didn’t want to do merely what has been done in the past decade or so.”

Oliver North, Founder and managing director of North Fire.

Every North Fire RIV currently in build incorporates the recently launched ‘NFE30’ high pressure fire pump, following numerous technical trials won throughout the year so far. With the vehicle boasting a 300-litre water tank, the NFE30 provides at least ten minutes of water supply while a feed is found from hydrants or open water sources by any of the four crew of firefighters onboard.

The vehicle also switches roller shutter doors for gullwing doors, maximising weight efficiency.

“When we were at the ‘drawing board’ stage of RIV engineering, we unanimously selected the gullwing door due to its lighter-weight and improved functionality. The body height can stay lower as a result of not gathering/rolling a shutter at the top and the doors also act as cover from rain or shade from the sun, if required, in the summer – giving it more purpose than a shutter.”

Oliver North, Founder and managing director of North Fire.

In January, Emergency Services Times reported on the opening of the new North Fire factory based in the Calder Valley.