Issued on: Thursday 14 December 2023
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service are thrilled to announce the trial of our brand-new Variable Response Vehicles (VRV) across the Service. This marks another milestone in our ongoing commitment to enhancing our emergency response capabilities.
Callum Faint, Chief Fire and Rescue Officer says “The trial of our brand-new Variable Response Vehicles emphasises our dedication to embracing innovation and improving our operational efficiency. We are confident that the trial of this investment will significantly contribute to the overall effectiveness of our Service.”
The addition of the VRVs to our fleet is the latest in a series of investments LFRS is making to the Service. Initiating the trial at Market Bosworth Fire and Rescue Station, Watch Manager Paul Wragg has said, “We are excited to be the first Station to trial the new VRV for the Service. The VRV will be with us for 6 months and has similar capabilities to a traditional fire appliance but with an improved capability for rural areas and extreme weather conditions.”
In response to the challenges posed by hotter summers, flooding, and severe winter conditions, the introduction of VRVs represents a strategic move to better serve our communities. Equipped with an Ultra High-Pressure misting system, the VRV maximises its on-board water supply in rural conditions making more efficient use of the water to extinguish fires. This will be of particular use for rural fires such as fields, trees, hedges and stack fires. The ride height allows the vehicle to traverse surfaces a standard fire engine may not be able to negotiate, and the width of the vehicle allows for better access to restricted sites.
Watch Manager Paul Wragg also emphasised that “The VRV will help to improve the availability of our operational vehicles. The trial also allows us to explore flexible crewing options, enhancing overall response efficiency and adaptability to varying emergencies.”
The trial of the Variable Response Vehicles (VRVs) is set to extend beyond Market Bosworth Fire and Rescue Station, encompassing multiple key locations to evaluate their versatility and effectiveness. In addition to the inaugural trial site at Market Bosworth, the VRVs will also be trialled at Wigston, Uppingham, and Central Fire and Rescue Stations.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
Interviews can be arranged through prior arrangement with Corporate Communications on the details below.
About the Service
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service provides emergency response, prevention and protection services from 20 stations across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Its headquarters is based in Birstall, Leicester.
During 2021/22, we attended a total of 8,259 emergency incidents, including 1,968 fires and 707 road traffic collisions. A total of 12,938 Home Safety Checks were completed and we fitted 3,546 smoke alarms. 233 schools were visited as part of the Service’s schools programme, delivering fire and road safety education to 6,724 pupils.
The Service’s prevention, education, enforcement and inspection programmes have resulted in significant reductions in the number of incidents attended.
Contact:
Corporate Communications
Direct: 0116 210 5756
Corporate.communications@leics-fire.gov.uk
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