4 low loaders arrived in work today, each carrying 2 of these classic fire engines. I had a quick look at 2 of them and i must say that they are in really good nick for their age, even though they appear to lack the abilities of modern fire appliances. My dad told me that these engines are maintained to the highest level regardless of their age and it shows.
Has anyone ever driven one, or knows someone that served on one ? Are they suitable for fighting fires today as they were in the 60's? And where are they kept when they're not in use ?
Ash.
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Don't know much about the machines themselves, Ash, but they saw active service in 1977 during the fireman's strike. I seem to remember that a soldier was killed when one of them overturned answering a call, and the comment was that they were not as stable as civvy appliances at speed, being unbalanced by the movement of the water in the tank.
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"Are they suitable for fighting fires today as they were in the 60's?"
We will probably find out before the end of the year when the firemen go on strike for their 40% pay claim and the Armed Forces have to operate them again.
When used last time, by the Forces, they were reasonably effective considering they were operated by squadies who do not claim to be experts.
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But they are not exactly quick you know.
In the last fireman's strike saw a Green Goddess going up this hill, and not a very steep hill at that, absolutely harry flatters, foot through the boards, blue lights and bells going fifteen to the dozen.
Trouble was it got left standing by a Moggie Minor, hmmmmm?
At least the sqaddies and the plod escort saw the funny side.
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At least the sqaddies and the plod escort saw the funny side.
As no doubt will the family whose house was reduced to smouldering rubble by the time they got there! :)
I personally think the firefighters are unjustified in their pay claims, especially in putting people's lives at risk by striking, they get a similar wage to a PC who has to do a lot worse jobs than they do. The news tonight did an article on some volounteer rescue workers (cliff and sea rescue I think) They go over the edges of cliffs risking life and limb to rescue people and out in all weathers on the sea, and how much do they get paid? Nothing. I won't say what I think the firefighetrs should do with their 40%. ;)
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Weird isn't it? In the US, firefighters have always been heroes, even before 9/11. Here they have always been greedy public sector workers for whom going on strike is the way they get their kicks, and whose main reason for doing that particular job is because they want to rip us off and put our lives in danger. Why is that?
Motoring link: on a street where I used to live in Nottingham there was a house fire. Fire engine was too wide to fit between the double-parked cars. So it just drove between them anyway, leaving a trail of destruction for about 200 yards. That must have been fun.
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Hope the first paragraph was meant be read in a satirical tone.
As regards the second what else could they have done ?
I heard on the news that if firefighters do strike the GG will be dispatched to house fires and the fire only tackled if there are lives at risk - a scarey thought
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"I heard on the news that if firefighters do strike the GG will be dispatched to house fires and the fire only tackled if there are lives at risk - a scarey thought."
The police will be tasked to go to the scene first to determine if the report is true or malicious. The fear is, as during the last strike, misguided sympathisers of the firemen might try to stretch the limited cover by hoax calls.
If firemen do strike lives will be put at risk. Apart from the lack of expertise of the squadies standing in for them, that risk is increased by having to use inadequate equipment i.e. Green Goddesses. It would appear that the military are not allowed to use the normal Dennis fire tenders(motoring link) and equipment for fear of offending the strikers.
The firemen's Union is claiming they should have professional status and salary. I don't know how professional status is defined these days, but in their case it isn't by academic standards on entry or length of training. If their claim is based on risk of injury/death then there are other employments that are equally as dangerous - not least the Servicemen who are ordered to stand in for them.
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If I was fireman, I'd forget about the extra ££££, just give me what they get as company wheels!
Could even change my name to DENNIS!!!
De Dah - De Dah - De Dah - De Dah- De Dah
Mark
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Saw two on the motorway last week, being attended by one very large breakdown truck.
Reliable? don't you believe it.
I know these things....................
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Every year or so, a number of 'modern' fire appliances must be retired because a newer model is introduced etc.
So, why aren't the pick of this bunch put into storage to ultimately replace what are in effect, very old Bedford fire engines?
Just a thought.
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I just think it's ridiculous that they can't use the normal appliances because the union will get in a huff.
Don't get me wrong, I think that firefighters do an excellent job and deserve recognition for that, not having a load of little pink fluffy dice throwing stones at them while they try to put out a torched car.
But, I don't think it's fair of them to say "We want £30K or we're going on strike" when there are so many other professions, such as Police Officers who are on a similar wage, some of whom actually receive income support, who do an even worse job without threatening to go on strike.
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Oh, forgot to say - I fully agree with watcher, why use antiques when we could just use an older, non-current fire engine...
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I'd pretty much prefer this didn't go down a political route.
Ta ever so.
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I am told that many 'retired' fire engines are sold abroad. If true I wonder what are in service in Iraq?
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Perhaps there is more to the army not using the normal appliances than stopping the unions getting in a huff. No doubt the squaddies who operate the GGs have been trained in how to use them. I have no personal knowledge to substantiate this idea but surely a modern fire appliance is a lot more complex than an old fashioned GG. That is, without training and practice the squaddies would actually know how to use the Fire Brigade appliances.
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Can't be that complex, can they? Just like a big pressure washer?
At the back of my mind, there's a local paper pic or local TV clip showing one of our retired fire appliances being handed over free to a third world country, or somewhere in the Balkans.
Time for a policy rethink, methinks.
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