Company wins contract for its 'greener' fire engines
A KIRKLEES firm has won a contract to provide 'greener' red firefighting vehicles.
Batley-based Angloco is one of six UK firms chosen to supply appliances to fire and rescue services across England.
The agreement was struck with Firebuy Ltd, the national body which oversees buying for the Government.
The new vehicles will have the latest technology, including new pumps, foam systems, bodywork and radio communications.
They will also be more environmentally friendly, with reduced emissions and improved fuel consumption than those now in use.
Some 85% of components on the new appliances will be recyclable - and the vehicles will be 35% lighter than existing ones.
The appliances are expected to have an operational life of at least 12 years.
Each of the first vehicles off the production line will be subject to thorough and independent tests to ensure they comply with legislation for vehicle standards and firefighter safety.
The first vehicles are expected on the road in the autumn.
Angloco has been contracted to supply light vehicles, weighing up to 7.5 tonnes, carrying two to four firefighters and equipped for incidents such as moorland fires or small fires where access is a problem.
Other companies will supply medium-sized vehicles and so-called 'super' vehicles.
The medium-sized vehicles of up to 14 tonnes and carry- ing four to six people will go to callouts such as house fires in small towns and rural areas
'Super' vehicles, with a chassis weight of over 14 tonnes will carry six to 10 firefighters and 1,800 litres of water.
They will also have foam- making equipment and high-tech rescue equipment to tackle incidents such as warehouse fires and accidents.
This is the first major set of contracts negotiated by Firebuy, which is working on behalf of all 46 fire and rescue services in England.
Its chairman, Liz Barron, said: "These contracts represent a huge leap forward.
"Individual services can buy off contracts knowing that the most stringent procurement and research and development processes have already been completed."
