Brand new fire engine to be based at Crawley

A new fire engine that is smaller, more responsive to drive, faster to set up and with greater rescue capabilities will be based at Crawley.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Seven new 12 tonne medium rescue pumps appliances will now be stationed at five fire stations around the county.

They are narrower, shorter, have a lower design and a tighter turning circle which will allow better access when attending incidents in more urban, built-up areas where road space is often at a premium and allow easier manoeuvring.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

They also include folding roof ladders, improved reflective strips known as ‘Battenburg’ and other enhanced blue light safety features. In addition, there are 360-degree cameras and recording for the driver.

Cabinet member Duncan Crow with senior fire officers in front of the new apppliances for West Sussex Fire and Rescue ServiceCabinet member Duncan Crow with senior fire officers in front of the new apppliances for West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service
Cabinet member Duncan Crow with senior fire officers in front of the new apppliances for West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service

The appliances will be at the following stations:

• Worthing (two of the appliances will be based here)

• Crawley

• East Grinstead

The new 12 tonne medium rescue pumps appliancesThe new 12 tonne medium rescue pumps appliances
The new 12 tonne medium rescue pumps appliances

• Henfield

• Haywards Heath

• The final appliance will be kept by the service’s operational training team to ensure crews are familiar with the new appliances and its capabilities.

The new appliances represent a £1.7m investment from West Sussex County Council.

Frontline firefighters were key in drawing up the specification for the new appliances to ensure optimum operational capability.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The appliances were built by coachbuilder Emergency One and are designed to complement the service’s larger, 18 tonne Scania fire engines.

Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, chief fire officer at West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, said: “These new appliances represent a significant investment in the fire and rescue service from the county council, and will ensure that our firefighters have the very latest equipment to allow them to respond to emergencies, quickly, efficiently and safely.”

Paul Marshall, leader of West Sussex County Council, said: “I am delighted to be able to hand over the keys to these seven brand new fire engines today, and know that they will allow our firefighters to help keep their communities safe for many years to come.”

Duncan Crow, cabinet member for fire & rescue and communities, added: “A lot of work has gone into the design and procurement of these fantastic new fire engines, with our own fleet team working very closely with the manufacturers to ensure we have an appliance that fits our firefighters’ requirements when attending an emergency incident. It is fantastic to see the finished result, and I know that our crews are very much looking forward to getting their new engines on the run.”

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.