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A fire engine has been eye-catchingly wrapped to encourage open conversations around mental health and suicide prevention.
The Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS) appliance’s makeover was undertaken in partnership with the local committee for Baton of Hope – the nation’s largest suicide prevention initiative.
The newly wrapped appliance, based at Ascot Drive Fire Station, was unveiled ahead of the baton’s arrival in Derby and Derbyshire on 13 September 2025.
Created by its namesake charity, Baton of Hope was devised as a parallel icon to the Olympic torch, celebrating mental rather than physical wellbeing. It will travel across the UK later this year, stopping in Derby and Derbyshire for a day of events, remembrance, and community engagement.
The tour will include a procession, entertainment, and opportunities for those affected by suicide to carry the baton in honour of their own survival or in memory of a lost loved one.
“We are incredibly proud to support the Baton of Hope as it makes its way through Derby and Derbyshire. As a Service, we see first-hand the devastating impact suicide can have on families and communities through our own experiences but also the incidents involving suicides and attempted suicides that we attend.
“By wrapping one of our fire engines with the Baton of Hope branding, we hope to spark conversations, reduce stigma, and show our commitment to supporting mental health and suicide prevention.”
DFRS Group Manager, Darren Perrott.
This is the second DFRS fire engine to be wrapped in support of mental health and suicide prevention, following the first which was unveiled at Chesterfield Fire Station in November 2024.
These specially wrapped appliances form part of the service’s ongoing commitment to supporting the mental wellbeing of both its employees and the communities it serves.
“Working in partnership is at the heart of the Baton of Hope Derby & Derbyshire. Having this opportunity to work closely with DFRS and Public Health has been a great pleasure to be able to share and increase awareness of not only the Baton of Hope UK but also to encourage conversation and increase awareness of local support.
“We encourage everyone to support us in attending the tour and many of the events happening across Derbyshire and Derby.
“We thank all services for their support with this and it’s an honour to be able to work alongside them on this project.”
Luke Oldham, Co-Lead on the Baton of Hope Derbyshire.
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