Nine new fire engines strengthen heavy rescue response in Derbyshire

Nine new fire engines are being rolled out across Derbyshire following major investment by Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS) to enhance emergency response and support firefighters in protecting local communities.

The new fleet comprises six Scania fire appliances and three Enhanced Rescue Appliances (ERAs), all fitted with the latest technology to support modern firefighting and designed in line with University of Lancashire (UCLan) clean cab principles to support the health and wellbeing of firefighters, enabling crews to work efficiently, effectively and safely at a wide range of incidents.

Serving as frontline pumping fire engines, the Scania appliances are designed for day-to-day firefighting and other emergencies while the ERAs are built with a hybrid approach and will include additional equipment including specialist ladders, winches, cutters and platforms to assist firefighters in their response to heavy rescue incidents such as motorway collisions involving HGVs and other emergencies like those involving machinery, trains and aircraft.

The rollout forms part of a £5m investment and marks a step forward in a programme to modernise and enhance DFRS’s frontline fleet.

Derbyshire’s Group Manager for Fleet and Equipment, Dean Frith, said: “These new appliances represent a significant investment in the future of the Service and our commitment to keeping Derbyshire’s communities safe.

“Our firefighters deserve the very best tools to do their job, and these modern fire engines provide exactly that. From everyday emergencies to more complex incidents, they will ensure our crews can respond safely, efficiently and effectively whenever people need us most.”

Dean Frith.

Manufactured by Emergency One, the new appliances will be stationed at Long Eaton, Kingsway, Swadlincote, Chesterfield, Ilkeston and the Joint Training Centre in Ripley, while the three ERAs will replace the Major Rescue Units (MRUs) and be based at Matlock, Nottingham Road and Staveley.

A further three new fire appliances are currently on order and will be rolled out later this year at Alfreton, Ascot Drive and Buxton fire stations.

“We’re pleased to have worked alongside Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service on these appliances. They’ve been built with the needs of crews in mind, and we look forward to seeing them supporting frontline operations.”

Brian Girvan, Production Director, Emergency One.

As part of the programme, the displaced fire appliances will be redistributed to different DFRS locations, with some becoming reserve vehicles, while the MRUs will be disposed of.

The initial investment is part of a wider strategy that will see DFRS upgrade and replace an additional three appliances each year, resulting in annual investments of over £1m.

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