Rescue plan for fire trucks

ALTERNATE uses for two "state-of-the-art" fire engines ruled unsafe to be allowed on the roads are to be found by Lothian and Borders Fire and rescue service.

The Combined Aerial Rescue Pumps (Carps) cost 450,000 each, but have been plagued by technical faults since they were bought three years ago.

The fire board had been looking at taking legal action against the supplier, after it was ruled that the engines were not fit for use in emergencies.

But it has now been advised that the company's financial problems mean any legal action, even if successful, would not help it get its money back.

Instead, the board has now been asked to approve finding alternate uses for the two engines in a bid to mitigate losses.

It has been suggested that the engines be stripped down, removing the blue light and siren equipment and using them as non-emergency water towers.

This would mean they could be driven slowly to a large fire and used to help douse the flames.

One of the biggest problems with the engines was their weight, which caused them to tip over when travelling round corners at high speed, a vital manoeuvre in an emergency situation.

Testing revealed the engines cannot even tackle roundabouts safely, but in the event of a sustained fire they could be driven slowly to the scene to provide assistance.

It has also been suggested that the boom package on top of the engines be removed, making them suitable as driver-training vehicles.

Chief fire officer Jimmy Campbell said: "A risk report does not show a particularly healthy trading position for the supplier and, therefore, there is a reasonable significant risk that obtaining an award of damages against them would still not result in a recovery.

"The trading position of the supplier suggests that looking to put the vehicles to an alternate use may be the best strategy, and that the fire service are now in a position whereby they should simply take steps to mitigate their loss as much as possible."

The report also said the legal options open to the board were "limited" as the vehicles were track tested, but were not tested while changing lanes at speed as this was not covered in any of the standard tests.

The issues were caused as a result of the dual purpose of the vehicles - designed for both height and pumping ability - and while the issue will be looked at, sources said it was unlikely the service would be testing a similar vehicle again.

It is expected that the most suitable option for the engines will be decided upon following consultation with different departments.