Greater Manchester is to benefit from a new £3.5 million investment fleet of more environmentally friendly, technologically advanced, and highly efficient fire engines.
In a move to ensure the readiness of the service for the future, 12 frontline fire engines of the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) are being replaced with cutting-edge appliances.
This means that more that more than 75 percent of the region’s 50 fire engines are now less than five years old.
GMFRS’s chief fire officer, Dave Russel said: “This is a major investment in our fleet and we are delighted to see the new fire engines being rolled out across Greater Manchester. The new models are greener, more efficient and also come with new safety measures and improved equipment on board, including innovative and award-winning digital technology.
“The new engines will provide our firefighters with top of the range equipment and capabilities to enable us to continue to respond to the varying challenges of protecting the people and places of Greater Manchester and ensure that we are fit for the future.”
Enhanced functionality
The newly introduced appliances are equipped with 5G connectivity, facilitating enhanced functionality and utilisation of the IT equipment installed in each vehicle. This will enable the provision of more accurate and real-time data and information, contributing to more effective emergency responses.
The successful completion of the MDT replacement project in April 2022 for all frontline fire engines earned the service the ‘Best Use of New Technology’ award at the Real Innovation Technology Awards in May.
The project plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety of firefighters and the people of Greater Manchester by providing detailed information to aid in performing their duties safely and efficiently. The MDTs contain vital data such as the location of hydrants, directions, chemical information, specialised mapping software, and vehicle information, which prove invaluable during operations, particularly in the aftermath of road traffic accidents.
GMFRS was also one of the pioneering fire and rescue services in England to incorporate second demountable MDTs at the rear of fire engine appliances, enhancing access and support for firefighters during incidents.
The new engines comply with the latest Euro Six regulation, which sets the European standard for emissions and safety on commercial vehicles.
Greater Manchester rollout
The rollout of the new engines will take place at various Community Fire Stations across Greater Manchester, including Agecroft, Altrincham, Ashton, Bolton North, Bury, Cheadle, Hollins, Leigh, Marple, Offerton, Stalybridge, and Withington.
Deputy Mayor for policing, crime, criminal justice, and fire, Kate Green, hailed the significant investment in the fire and rescue service, underlining its role in providing a modern, adaptable, and resilient service for the people of Greater Manchester. She stressed the commitment to equipping dedicated staff with the best possible tools to carry out their duties safely and effectively.
Furthermore, two additional frontline fire engines are expected to arrive at Atherton and Mossley Community Fire Stations next year.
The fire engines that are replaced with new vehicles will be repurposed within the broader fleet, serving as reserves and aiding in creating realistic training scenarios for firefighters at the Bury Training and Safety Centre.
