The checker markings on the trailer above indicate that it is an accident command control unit.

The following is a vehicle that falls into the ‘ambulance’ and ‘fire’ categories: a fire victim support unit. Victims of house fires can use this converted camper van for shelter, to make a cup of tea and even to sleep in, if their house is badly damaged by fire. The British Red Cross can also council victims.

Now we have a Northumberland Community Fire Safety vehicle. Registration L566 KKS, it is an Iveco Daily 49.12, used for fire education.

LRG 556X is parked next to an old Ford appliance. Both vehicles date from the early 1980’s.

A Dennis appliance owned privately. Everything is still in full working order, including the extendable ladders, shown here at about 1/3rd height.

T196 ASE is a Scania P94D-220 tender from Aberdeen, call sign 781. The unit was based in Dyce on the outskirts of Aberdeen when the photograph was taken.

N389 RCN is November-zero-four, a Tyne and Wear emergency tender. Notice the radio control at the rear of the vehicle.



The rear of the tender.

A Bronto Skylift. You’ll notice the red and white patterning on the wheels and county badge on the door. The hand to the right is picking up the fire engine to show you the cab horizontal. You can see the dry patch where it was sitting. If you look closely you can also see one of the supporting feet which can level the vehicle on any slope!

A Mercedes van used by Tyne and Wear fire brigade for general transportation. It is not used for fire fighting. Vehicles of this type have a call sign starting ‘X’.

This is an old Carmichael engine, registered in 1984. It was a training vehicle, but had a new lease of life as a front line appliance. The reason for this is that the manufacturer of the modern appliance was being sued, and while this was happening they cannot use their vehicles.

N873 XPY is a fire car from North Yorkshire; a Peugeot 306 XLD. Note that it has no markings, but a magnetic blue flashing light has been attached, giving it the same rights as any other blue-light vehicle. This may well be used by a commanding officer on route to oversee a major incident.

This is a fire demonstration trailer. Used at community events, it is the pro-active role of educating people about fire prevention.

A line-up of York’s appliances in the late 1990’s.

This is a (model) Volvo fire appliance.

An old Dennis MPT 740P and an ERF engine. Both have seen active service, but have now been sold to enthusiasts who restore them and enter them for shows.

Another older turntable ladder, which was replaced by the Bronto Skylift.

This is the rear of Victor Zero Five P183 CNL, Tyne and Wear Fire Brigade’s Operational Support Unit. It is actually a detachable fork lift truck, which can be used for moving heavy objects and dangerous containers.

Below is every firefighter’s idea of heaven, the mobile refreshments trailer. It can be towed to any major incident where firefighters will be working long hours.

A309 FRA is a Freight Rover Fire Engine used privately by Rolls Royce. The Freight Rover was a demonstrator offered to Rolls-Royce by its manufacturers to fill a stop-gap requirement to replace a Carmichael Land Rover FT5 which had been seriously damaged in an RTA. It was not a satisfactory purchase, and was not up to the job required of it. Within weeks of use, the exhaust pipe from the pump set fire to the rear of the appliance!

A regular Scania turntable ladder.

Tyne and Wear’s Victor Zero Five, with it’s tarpaulin sides and fork lift truck on the back.

This is a detailed view of the inside of Tango Zero Six, Tyne and Wear’s Salvage Tender. Basically these vehicles carry a whole manner of equipment for almost every possible scenario. Included are such items as a chainsaw and inflatable cushions to lift heavy objects.

P276 CPY is a Toyota fire car, used for restricted access areas on the North York Moors. It was photogrpahed at Ripon Fire Station.

Here we have a Bronto Skylift. The engine can level itself on the steepest of slopes, and the cradle can carry firefighters around corners and up many stories. This vehicle has a life expectancy of 15 years, then it can be recycled to make new fire engines.

E475 KVN is a regular Volvo engine which is used solely for training drivers

M654 ECU is a Volvo flatbed truck used Northumberland Fire and Rescue. It can be used for transporting debris from fires or crashes.

D830 EVN A Bedford flat bed truck which is used for driver training.

This is Victor Zero Three, a Dennis Turntable Ladder from Gateshead.

An electric miniturised fire engine, not in service.

Foxtrot Zero Nine, Tyne and Wear Fire Brigade’s rescue boat Called ‘Tinea’ It is based at the Byker station.