Pumping Appliance.

In Hereford and Worcester, there are two types of pumping appliance - Pump and Rescue Pump.

The pump is the fire service term for a 'regular' fire engine.  It carries regular rescue equipment, that can be used at a road incident which includes a combi-tool (cutter and spreader combined) and a ram.  It carries a triple extension ladder, a 9m ladder, a 13.5m ladder and a roof ladder.

The water tank contains 1800 Litres of water, which can supply three main branches, and two hose reel branches.  There is also a foam tank, that can be mixed with the water, to create a foam that can be used through the main pump.

Other equipment that is carried on this type of fire appliance, includes a thermal image camera, various hand tools, delivery hose, chemical suits, and dis-robe packs (clothes for people contaminated with chemicals.)  A full list of what is carried on this appliance can be found on our Equipment page.

The rescue pump is the first appliance sent to road traffic collisions where people are trapped and other  rescue incidents including animal rescues.  It carries rescue equipment, such as heavy duty hydraulic cutter, spreader and ram, pedal cutters, and high and low pressure airbags.  The appliance also carries Stabfast, a Tirfor winch, strops and Positive Pressure Ventilation (PPV). The remainder of the equipment stowed on the appliance is the same as a regular pump.

A full list of what is carried on this appliance can be found on our Equipment page.

The fleet of pumping appliances are currently a mix of Dennis Sabre's, Scania 94D's, Scania P280's, MAN's and Mercedes.

Two of the MAN appliances have CAFS - Compressed Air Foam System installed.

Any pump or rescue pump can be used as a command point at small incidents.  Both types of appliances carry a command board, that logs everyone on the fireground, including external agencies, such as gas and electricity companies etc.  It also records the senior officers on the fireground, and their role.  The tactical mode of the incident is also logged.  All radio messages that are transmitted are recorded, so that information can quickly be passed on to other officers.  One or two firefighters will run the command point until such time as they are relieved by another appliance or the command support unit (CSU).

The vehicle being used as command point will display a red flashing light to identify it as the command point for the incident.

If the incident is large or protracted, the CSU will be mobilised.  More can be read about this further down the page.

Pinzgauer

This is an off-road vehicle that can be used at difficult locations and field fires.  It has some basic equipment stowed on it and hose reels.

The Pinzgauer can also tow the Argocat. The argocat is an off-road vehicle used to transport firefighters and equipment on difficult terrains.  There are off road appliances based at 23 Bewdleyt, 41 Malvern and 46 Hereford,  although each station has different equipment, to suit their locations.  Pictured here is Malverns Pinzgauer towing the argocat.

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The EPU is a Mercedes Sprinter 4x4, which carries a crew of 4 and specialist equipment to deal with incidents that are hazardous to the environment.  It is partially funded by the Environment Agency.

The EPU is based at 22 Stourport.

Restricted Access Vehicle

There are two RAV's, one based at 45 Whitchurch and one at 55 Peterchurch.

They replace the transit van and unimog previously based at the stations.

They are based on a Mercedes Sprinter van and are for use in locations that conventional fire appliances have difficulty in accessing.

The RAV's are kitted out with CAFS which uses 400L of water to give 3200L of firefighting media.

This appliance is based at 25 Bromsgrove fire station.

Aerial Ladder Platform.

These appliances are based at 46 Hereford and 21 Worcester.  Pictured is Worcester's aerial.

Water Carrier (WrC).

The water carrier is a vehicle that carries 9500L of water, that can be delivered to firegrounds where there is a shortage of water.  These are based at 28 Evesham, 44 Ross on Wye and 52 Leominster

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The Water Rescue Vehicle is a Mercedes Sprinter 4x4.  It is used to transport water rescue crews and their equipment.

It can also be used to tow the Eurocraft Rescue Boat.

These are based at 21 Worcester, 28 Evesham and 46 Hereford.

Command Support Unit (CSU).

The CSU is a bus conversion, and is based at 41 Malvern fire station.  It is used as a command and control centre at large scale incidents.  It has a fully air conditioned meeting or conference room, a heli-teli link, fax machine, radio system and telephone system.  It also boasts a large whiteboard on the wall, where firefighters can draw incident plans, or write down other information and then print the information off on paper via a printer.  On the side of this vehicle are three coloured lights, red, amber and green.  These show the tactical mode of the incident.  Red, means that the incident is in Defensive mode, which means that firefighters have withdrawn from the risk area.  Amber shows that different sectors of an incident are in different modes (Transitional mode) and Green means that the incident is in Offensive mode, which means that firefighters are working within the risk area.

At incidents with 4 pumps or less in attendance, a pump or rescue pump can be the command point.  This vehicle takes over when incidents are large or protracted.

Incident Support Unit (ISU).

The ISU is a vehicle based at 26 Droitwich Spa fire station, which carries a large amount of BA (Breathing Apparatus) cylinders, ultra-heavy rescue equipment, isoprops, vibraphones and other specialist equipment, that cannot be carried on a conventional fire appliance.  The ISU is automatically mobilised to all road traffic collisions involving large goods vehicles, any large incident and can be mobilised on request to any other incident.  The ISU is always mobilised with a car, with crews trained in the use of the equipment that it carries, as it only carries a crew of 2.

Incident Response Unit (IRU).

The IRU is a fairly new vehicle added to the brigades fleet.  It has been paid for by the government, under the "New Dimensions" project as a response to any terrorist incident.  All fire services in the country have these new vehicles, Hereford and Worcester have two, located at 46 Hereford and 26 Droitwich Spa.  The IRU is a mass-decontamination unit, it carries a large decontamination shower and tent, gas tight suits and dis-robe/re-robe packs, which are temporary clothes for members of the public involved in a conventional / chemical / biological / radiological or nuclear attack.  It also carries a firefighter decontamination unit, which can be requested to any chemical incident.

High Volume Pump (HVP).

A vehicle based at station 24 Kidderminster, used to pump large quantities of water over a large distance.  The HVP has been supplied under the govenment's "New Dimensions" project.  The vehicle is a prime mover and a pumping unit.

Urban Search and Rescue (USAR).

Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue Service are among a number of UK fire services to maintain a USAR capability.  The USAR equipment has been supplied under the government's "New Dimensions" project.

A full capability includes the following equipment; 3 Prime Movers, 5 modules and a canine support unit with a trained search dog.

Module 1 is issued with a prime mover (PM).  The equipment is designed for use in the first stages of an incident and includes electricity generation, technical search, scene assessment, timber and concrete cutting and work at height equipment.

USAR Module 2.

Comes with a PM and contains heavy cutting,  lifting, and confined space and rope access equipment for use in major transport-related incidents, especially those involving rail or aircraft.

USAR Module 3.

Includes timber support, heavy breaking and breaching tools, heavy lifting and moving equipment, access platforms, and lighting.  No PM is supplied with this module, instead, a PM from one of the other Modules will be used.

USAR Module 4.

Consists of a prime mover (PM) and a drop-side unit which carries the logistics and servicing structure, and a 4-wheel-drive multi-purpose vehicle which can be used for transporting equipment to an incident site, unloading modules and moving rubble

USAR Module 5.

Comprises a flat-bed unit containing 10 tons of pre-cut timber for shoring and cribbing unstable structures.  Again no PM is supplied with this module, instead, a PM from one of the other Modules will be used.

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USAR Canine Support Unit.

Information on vehicle not available.

Hereford and Worcester's USAR dog is called Jess.  Jess can scan a scene and alert crews to the presence of a casualty trapped in a collapsed structure.