Manchester Airport unveils six new firefighting vehicles
Above: Jim Johnson with Steve Metcalf.
The fire vehicles are equipped with the latest technology to assist in making firefighting operations safer, including Forward Looking Infra-Red Cameras, High Reach Extendable Turrets (also known as ‘Snozzles’) and more environmentally-friendly foam.
They’ve been built in and shipped from Wisconsin, USA over the last three months and firefighters at Manchester Airport have been training on them since July this year. The sixth and final vehicle arrived in late September and all 84 firefighters who are based at Manchester Airport are now fully trained to use the vehicles and equipment.
Steve Metcalf, Manchester Airport’s Chief Fire Officer & Emergency Services Manager, said: “The introduction of this fleet has presented us with the opportunity to introduce a new operational model incorporating a completely fresh approach, adopting revised tactics and techniques to enable us to create a safer environment for our passengers, operating crews and firefighters. These are exciting times for the Fire & Rescue Service at Manchester Airport as these new procedures, supported by our new vehicles, have modernised our operation.
“We’re investing in a safer future and it’s of the utmost importance to us as an airport that both our staff and passengers are in a safe environment at all times, and our investment in these vehicles underlines our commitment in this area. The Oshkosh Global Striker Vehicles are equipped with the latest technology which helps to make firefighter jobs safer and more efficient, protecting both them and our passengers in the event of a crisis situation, which while we hope never happens, we must be prepared for.”
Jim Johnson, Oshkosh President of Fire and Emergency, said: “We are honoured to have been a part of this project at Manchester Airport and to provide these new vehicles for Manchester Airport’s Fire Service. We worked very closely with the airport on this project to deliver the best appliances and service possible. It’s been fantastic to see the new vehicles in action and the firefighters here showcasing their new skills.”
The new fire vehicles were showcased to 150 guests at an event held at Manchester Airport’s Runway Visitor Park. Guests from emergency services around the country as well as MAG colleagues, former Manchester Airport firefighters, Oshkosh and Terberg DTS representatives were also shown a demonstration of the new vehicles in action using the airport’s training ground, Big Rig.
