First look at Suffolk's £3.6m fleet of new fire engines
Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service has unveiled 11 new fire engines as part of a £3.6m investment that will replace some of the service's oldest appliances.
Why it matters: The service says the new vehicles will help ensure firefighters have access to modern vehicles equipped with the latest operational and safety features.
The details: Built by Emergency One on Volvo FL816 chassis, the 16-tonne Type B pumping appliances have been designed to respond to a wide range of incidents. They are the same specification as appliances already operating within the service.
New features include:
- Touchscreen pump controls
- LED scene lighting
- Hot hand wash units
- Tyre pressure monitoring
- Blind spot collision alerts
- Automated ladder head gantries
- Bronze water pumps designed to reduce corrosion and maintenance requirements
(Photo: Suffolk County Council)
The bigger picture: The new engines are the latest phase of the service's fleet replacement programme. They follow the introduction of eight new engines in 2024 and form part of its long-term fleet replacement strategy.
What they're saying: Councillor Tristan Gale (Reform UK), Suffolk County Council's cabinet member for planning, devolution and the fire service, said: "Keeping the people of Suffolk safe is a fundamental responsibility of ours, and these new fire engines represent a significant investment in the future of Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service.
"This replacement programme demonstrates the value of long-term planning and our commitment to ensuring firefighters have the modern, reliable equipment they need to protect communities safely and effectively."
Henry Griffin, deputy chief fire officer at Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, said: "This is an important milestone for Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service as we prepare to introduce 11 new fire appliances into frontline service across Suffolk.
"These vehicles represent a significant step forward in our fleet replacement programme and will support firefighters in responding to a wide range of incidents across the county. Designed around operational requirements, they incorporate a number of enhancements that will benefit crews on the incident ground."
What's next: The appliances will now undergo final preparations before being allocated to fire stations as part of the planned vehicle cascade.
The bottom line: The £3.6m investment will put 11 modern, better-equipped fire engines into service across Suffolk once final preparations are complete.
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