UK Emergency Vehicles   ukemergency.co.uk

Fire (General)

PN13 GTZ Noble Fire and Rescue Isuzu D-Max

PN13 GTZ
Noble Fire and Rescue
Isuzu D-Max
This Isuzu D-Max is used as a rapid intervention vehicle. It features red and yellow battenburg markings, a light bar, and a rear compartment housing firefighting equipment including hose reels, extinguishers, and a 600-litre water tank. It is well-suited to off-road and quick response use around airports and outdoor events.

Classic Fire

F313 HWL Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue GMC Suburban

F313 HWL
Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue
GMC Suburban
This classic GMC Suburban served with Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue at Burnham. It is equipped with roof-mounted ladders and blue beacons and is painted in a distinctive red livery with blue and yellow stripes. As a US-built vehicle, it stands out from typical UK fire appliances and is now preserved.

Classic Fire

FSP 924W Tayside Fire Brigade Dodge G13

FSP 924W
Tayside Fire Brigade
Dodge G13
This Dodge G13 was used as a command/control unit. Featuring a red and white checkerboard design, it was equipped with communications equipment and blue lights. Vehicles of this type were common in the late 1970s and early 1980s but are now rare to see. Thankfully this one is in preservation.

Classic Fire

K472 PAG Humberside Fire Brigade Dennis SS / HCB Angus

K472 PAG
Humberside Fire Brigade
Dennis SS / HCB Angus
This Dennis SS fire engine served with Humberside Fire Brigade. It features HCB Angus bodywork and was commonly used throughout the UK in the early 1990s. Now preserved, it retains its original livery and operational equipment and appears at historic vehicle shows.

Classic Fire

RXP 688 Auxiliary Fire Service Bedford RLHZ Green Goddess

RXP 688
Auxiliary Fire Service
Bedford RLHZ Green Goddess
This preserved Bedford RLHZ ‘Green Goddess’ was used by the Auxiliary Fire Service and is painted in traditional military green. The vehicle includes pumping gear and hose reels. Also shown is a large water reservoir than can be used to ensure enough water is available for pumping. These vehicles were deployed during firefighter strikes and remain iconic in British emergency services history. The interior reflects its utilitarian military design.

Classic Fire

CYY 630C Auxiliary Fire Service Bedford RL

CYY 630C
Auxiliary Fire Service
Bedford RL
This Bedford RL truck was used by the Auxiliary Fire Service as a general support vehicle. It is fitted with a canvas-covered rear and painted in military green with ‘AFS’ markings. These trucks accompanied pumping appliances and carried equipment or personnel. It has been converted into a camper so that the owner can stay in it when it is displayed at events.

Fire In Action

Buckles Inn Exercise

Buckles Inn Training Exercise

The Buckles Inn, located just outside York, was a traditional country pub and inn known for its warm atmosphere and convenient location. Situated near major roads and only a short drive from York’s historic city centre, it served as a popular stop for travellers exploring the area. Now closed, it was the scene of a fire training exercise in February 2025.

Before the exercise commences, EG23 LXP a Ford Transit from Tadcaster, was on scene to set up the smoke bombs.

As smoke started emanating from the extractor vents and door gaps, the Transit was repositioned right next to the A64 dual carriageway. This helped as a marker for where the appliances would need to turn into the car park as well as be a reassuring presence for members of the public passing (to try and avoid any unnecessary 999 calls).

The call is put in at 10:09 for a turnout.

First to arrive is YK64 GXU from York just 6 minutes later. The appliance makes slows down on the A64 dual carriageway and makes use of a short exit lane to observe the scene. The driver then moves forward about 100m at the side of the dual carriageway and make the sharp 90 degree turn into the Buckles Inn car park, carefully negotiating the narrow entrance. The appliance leaves the blue lights flashing at the scene as crews quickly assess the situation.

NJ22 EPX is next from near-by Tadcaster at 10:19 to back up York. Roles are established and crews don BA kit to enter the property. BA boards are set up at two different entrances to the building.

YK64 GXR arrives from Huntington at 10:32 to make pumps 3.

This is a joint exercise with West Yorkshire, so backing up the initial crews at 10:37 were YJ60 ELX and YK17 OAH from Garforth. West Yorkshire position their appliances to a different side of the building and prepare to enter through a different door.

YJ12 GTU is the second pump from Tadcaster and arrives at 10:39 to make pumps 6. The crew are briefed by the officer in charge and prepare to support their colleagues.

The last pump to arrive is Selby’s YJ22 EPY which is supported by Land Rover YJ12 DXF. The Land Rover is used for water rescue work and is unusual as having no ‘fire’ markings or crests on it.

The exercise was a success and all of the crews gained valuable experience in dealing with a large smoke-logged building.

Coastguard

K584 VEL HM Coastguard Land Rover Defender

K584 VEL
HM Coastguard
Land Rover Defender
A classic Land Rover Defender operated by HM Coastguard, featuring blue lights and dark blue and yellow livery. Displayed at a public event at Elvington.

Police Boats

Metropolitan Police Tactical Support RIB

Metropolitan Police
Tactical Support RIB
This rigid inflatable boat is crewed by officers for special response on the River Thames. Plain black with POLICE text, it can swiftly move for tactical operations.

Lifeboats

NJ60 NYK Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) Citroën Nemo

NJ60 NYK
Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)
Citroën Nemo
This white Citroën Nemo van is used by the RNLI for water safety and training purposes. It features decals for ‘Vital Training’ and ‘RNLI Water Safety’, and has a green AED sign indicating medical equipment on-board. Photographed in Helmsley.

Lifeboats

HF65 HPJ Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) Talus SC-T10 Lau..

HF65 HPJ
Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI)
Talus SC-T10 Launch Tractor
A tracked RNLI Talus SC-T10 launch tractor, used for deploying the lifeboat at Scarborough. It features a robust design for beach and slipway use, and is clearly marked with RNLI branding. This specialist equipment is seen indoors with other RNLI assets.

Lifeguard

RNLI Lifeguards Rescue Water Craft (Jet Ski)

RNLI Lifeguards
Rescue Water Craft (Jet Ski)
An RNLI Lifeguards rescue water craft with distinctive yellow and white livery. This jet ski is used for rapid response along coastal waters and is marked with the RNLI logo and registration details. Displayed indoors at the RNLI facility at Scarborough in North Yorkshire.

Railway Response

T241 CNN, T242 CNN, T243 CNN, T244 CNN DB Cargo Volvo FL6

T241 CNN, T242 CNN, T243 CNN, T244 CNN
DB Cargo
Volvo FL6
All four vehicle are sequential T-registrations (1999). They were operated by the freight company English Welsh & Scottish Railway (now DB Cargo). These vehicles were Road Rail Emergency Vehicles, transporting breakdown and recovery equipment to rail incidents. They were based around the country but have been brought all together at Toton depot in Nottinghamshire in this photograph. They have now been decommissioned from service. The replacement vehicle type is a little less spectacular, a plain white Ford Transit, but allows more flexible access into station car parks and urban areas whilst the same equipment carried.

Mountain Rescue

C134 RSO Braemar Mountain Rescue Team Kassbohrer


C134 RSO
Braemar Mountain Rescue Team
Kassbohrer

After nearly four decades of unwavering service, the Braemar Mountain Rescue Team retired its beloved rescue vehicle, affectionately known as “”Old Flex”” in December 2024. Since 1985, this six-tonne tracked vehicle has been a vital asset in some of the most challenging mountain rescue operations, navigating snowbound terrain and treacherous weather to bring help where it was most needed.

Powered by its 6.1 litre diesel engine, “Old Flex” earned its place in history by assisting in high-profile rescues, including the aftermath of the Lockerbie bombing in 1988 and the recovery operation following an F-15 crash on Ben Macdhui. Alongside these momentous events, the vehicle played a key role in countless other rescues, becoming a reassuring presence for stranded climbers, hillwalkers, and the rescuers themselves.

Equipped with caterpillar treads, Old Flex’s ability to traverse snowbound peaks made it indispensable during harsh winters when conventional vehicles faltered. It has supported not only the Braemar team but also neighbouring rescue teams.

Now retired, Old Flex will spend its days at the Glenshee Ski Centre.

The Braemar Mountain Rescue Team continues its work with a newer generation of rescue vehicles, including Old Flex’s “wee sister,” which has been in service since 2006. Yet, for those who relied on her during emergencies or admired her tenacity in the snow, Old Flex will remain a legend.

Fire (General)

AV12 DNF, KP60 XCC, LK15 AYX Felixstowe Docks Emergency Response Uni..

AV12 DNF, KP60 XCC, LK15 AYX
Felixstowe Docks Emergency Response Unit
The line-up of two ambulances and one fire appliance that are based at the Emergency Response Unit building at Felixstowe. The personnel are used interchangeably in the two different types of emergency vehicles. Additional support vehicles are also based here.