New fire engines turn out to be a real damp squib for blaze crews

TWO new fire engines have been stuck in the garage for two years after being ruled "too heavy" for crews to drive.

The state-of-the-art appliances have yet to fight a single blaze despite costing almost 1 million.

First, they were plagued by a series of technical faults.

Then, after being repaired, the brigade discovered the fully- loaded vehicles were too heavy for the fire service's drivers to use.

All the brigade's drivers will now have to be retrained before taking them on the road, unless mechanics can find a way of bringing their weight down.

Frustrated firefighters are claiming the Combined Aerial Rescue Pumps (Carps) are "not fit for purpose" and have branded them "white elephants".

Instead of being based at Sighthill and McDonald Road fire stations, they are currently stuck in garages in Newbridge.

Brian Banks, chairman of the Lothian and Borders branch of the Fire Brigades Union, said: "They've been with the brigade for around two years, but they've not been used. I think people are frustrated by the length of time and the difficulties these appliances are showing.

"There are obviously problems that have been highlighted. The firefighters are concerned about them going on the road.

"There is an issue with the weight when they're fully laden. Ultimately, if an appliance has been bought and is not meeting requirements, then questions need to be asked."

The Carps are designed to replace both a conventional fire engine and a height appliance with a single vehicle. At about 22 tonnes, they are much heavier than traditional fire engines.

Complaints about the appliances in other parts of the country have led to an inquiry being launched into the decision to buy them in Humberside.

Safety questions were also raised after one toppled over at a mini-roundabout in Strathclyde while travelling at only 15mph.

The Lothian engines were bought for the local fire service for 450,000 each with special funding from the Scottish Government. Both have been returned to the manufacturers for improvements, but were sent back to the brigade last March. Lothian and Borders Fire Service says it is now completing safety checks and hopes to have them on the road soon.

But Roddy Robertson, a Scottish member of the Fire Brigade Union's executive council, said: "Our view of this vehicle is they are not fit for purpose. They are designed to save money and cut jobs, not to improve the safety for firefighters."

Councillor Michael Bridgman, convener of Lothian and Borders Fire Board, said: "There were major problems originally when they were bought a couple of years ago. There are things that have to be ironed out. They are being tested at the moment and they should be on the road once that is done."

One firefighter, who asked not to be named, added: "It's an awful waste of money. They're fast becoming a white elephant."

A Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said: "We're currently going through the process of putting the appliance through final checks and have come across an issue with its fully laden weight. We're working to resolve this issue."