Firefighters in Dumfries and Galloway have been given the keys to four brand new appliances as part of a major investment in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) fleet.
The state-of-the-art vehicles have been initially deployed to Dumfries, Annan, Lockerbie and Stranraer fire stations and will enter service within the coming weeks.
Area Manager Alan Fairbairn, the local senior officer, said: “These brand new appliances are designed to the highest specification and equipped to meet the needs of our communities.
“The deployment of these four vehicles to stations throughout this area means a quarter of all the new acquisitions to the Scottish fleet have been initially deployed in Dumfries and Galloway.
“We are absolutely determined to ensure every community has access to specialist resources and this investment in world class fire and rescue equipment is a clear example of that commitment being put into effect here.”
At a cost of almost a quarter of a million pounds each the Scania P28s are a significant asset for SFRS crews.
Weighing 18 tonnes they can carry a crew of six firefighters, hold more than 1,800 litres of water and house the full range of equipment needed to fight fires, conduct road rescues and tackle other emergencies.
The new vehicles are part of a £3.8 million investment that will see 16 appliances – including both Scania and Volvo models – rolled out across the country before the end of May.
As the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is a national organization, the appliances will form part of a national fleet asset, to be deployed across Scotland to meet demand or as part of the service’s existing system of rotation and replacement.
Area Manager Fairbairn added: “People need to know that when an emergency arises they can rely on highly trained, professional and properly equipped firefighters.
“Our crews are completely dedicated to protecting the public and this significant investment shows we are delivering to the frontline so that whenever an emergency strikes our communities, people can call upon the very best possible fire and rescue service.
“These new appliances will enhance service delivery in Dumfries and Galloway and help ensure the area continues to benefit from the excellent fire and rescue cover it deserves.”
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