After the major 1929/31 re-equipment effort that has ended the animal-traction era by means of the purchase of a batch of 29 Mercedes/Metz fire-fighting and command vehicles, the then BSB (nowadays RSB) upgraded again its response capacity in the 1950s decade,by acquiring several special-purpose vehicles including two units of a tailor-designed personnel and equipment carrier, operated under call sign APR (standing for Protection and Reinforcement Vehicle, equivalent to the US Squad, Salvage or Utility profiles). This picture of the old APR rig, now preserved in Lisbon’s uptown one-of-a-kind RSB Museum, was taken in 2010 at an open air exhibition. The upper structural set (carried over the roof) of Portuguese-style wooden ladders and pike poles is missing at the time of this picture but the historical and mechanical condition of the vehicle is otherwise very good. The smart looking saloon/squad body was built over a Bedford (1957 series A) truck chassis. It could carry 15 fire-fighters (12 seating on transversal benches containing, beneath, assorted rescue and utility equipment). For the purposes of flood-water suction and salvage duties a light portable pump was carried in the rear “luggage” compartment, along with some tarps and BAs. This unit (housed at RSB HQs) was special-called on higher alarm fires and other major incidents citywide, whenever additional manpower (usually probationary FFs...) was required. It was also used for training duties. To be noted that that were no lateral windows in the rear cabin...It is also worth to remark the 3D metal crest (Lisbon arms)and lettering(BSB ; APR). It saw active service with the fully professional Municipal Fire Service of Lisbon (RSB, ex-BSB) from 1959 until 1973, before being permanently assigned to the Museum.