New specialist fire engine launched in Didcot

The newly enhanced vehicle, the first of its kind in Oxfordshire, will carry a defibrillator and will be showcased at Didcot Fire Station on Friday 25 May at 12pm.

As well as an AED (Automatic Electronic Defibrillator), the hybrid vehicle will be equipped with heavy rescue equipment used to deal with incidents involving road and rail, such as airbags for lifting and hydraulic tools with bespoke metal cutting ability, to enable a wide variety of rescues to take place.

It will also carry the latest thermal imaging camera to assist crews performing rescues at fires.

School children from Manor School in Didcot have been invited along to the station to get hands on experience of the new fire engine.

Improving s​ervice

Watch Manager Jon Walker, from Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service, said: “This is a great day for the service with the launch of this multi-faceted rescue fire engine. Not only does this give us the tools and skills to provide a better service to the public, but also means that tax payers are getting far better value for money from their fire and rescue service.

“We have teamed up with South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) to ensure all our crews are fully trained. By having more tools, equipment and personnel trained to a higher level, it will enable us to continue providing a far better service to the public and to deliver the targets of the 365 alive campaign.”

Strategically pos​itioned

The new vehicle will replace the current fire engine based at Didcot. A fire engine at Banbury will be upgraded in the coming weeks to carry the same equipment, and the current specialist rescue unit in Kidlington, which already carries heavy rescue equipment, will be updated to carry an AED.

The three enhanced fire engines have been strategically placed to provide the best possible cover in the county.

Over the coming year, Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service will gradually fit all of its 34 strong fleet with defibrillators.

Councillor Judith Heathcoat, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Safer and Stronger Communities, said: “The new fire engine at Didcot and the updated kit in Banbury and Kidlington will improve the level of service to the community and provide better value for money for the people of Oxfordshire.

“The service will now have three fire engines that are not only capable of dealing with heavy rescues, but also carry additional life-saving equipment in the defibrillators. This gives crews the very latest technology to help them deal with fires, road traffic collisions, rescues and entrapments and will enhance all rescue operations for people that live, work and travel thorough our county.

“In addition, the rest of the ‘standard’ fleet will eventually be fitted with defibrillators increasing resilience for fire fighting and rescue. This is a remarkable achievement for Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, who always strive to maximise their potential.”