Fire Department Motorcycles - A Cost Effective Option?

Maybe the time has come for fire departments to do more than just consider using motorcycles for emergency response. This has been successfully done in europe for years and now the UK is giving it a try. Maybe it's time for us to do the same...

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service is getting ready to trial a couple of firefighting motorcycle response units. (all photos by Tony Thomas).

Although motorcycles are already being used by Fire Departments throughout the world, this is the first time such a solution has been rolled out in the United Kingdom.

The 6-month trial will test two BMW RT1200 police-spec bikes that have been kitted out with two 25 liter water tanks and a 30 meter hose reel.

TCSS,

CBz

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Permalink Reply by Rick Reuther on January 16, 2011 at 5:47pm

I have seen them in action, in the traffic congestion of Speedweeks in Daytona Beach FL. With 4 solid lanes of traffic going to the race, theses guys were able to ride the shoulder and quickly get to a cardiac job.

From the web site:
"Motor Medics ride in pairs. One motorcycle is equipped with a complete line of advanced life support equipment, including a heart monitor/defibrillator/pacer, cardiac medications, IV’s, oxygen and, the other motorcycle equipped for trauma."

http://www.codb.us/residents/Departments/fire/specops/motor.aspx

Personally, I don't see a use for firefighting, but thats just one mans opinion.

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Permalink Reply by Rachel on January 16, 2011 at 6:00pm

Maybe in a large city...but, where I live...Well...it is the boondocks...Motorcycles would not work well. Plus..the guys out here prefer the LARGE trucks...whether they be pick-ups, jacked-up pick-ups, or just plain BIG RIGS...no small things for them!!!

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Permalink Reply by Chris Adams on January 16, 2011 at 6:56pm

I think they are great to get to areas that are not easily reached by fire engines but come on how effective can they really be? Other than areas like the dunes or desert areas in california or places that have off road incidents I do not see a need. EMS bikes for large events maybe but a golf cart or guys on regular bikes can do that. Just my thought...

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Permalink Reply by Chris Adams on January 16, 2011 at 6:58pm

UK always has the cool wierd stuff.

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Permalink Reply by Vic Silverfish on January 16, 2011 at 7:05pm

A trike is much, much more dangerous than a motorcycle. 3-wheels are inherently unstable and want to flip in a turn. This is why you can't buy a 3-wheeler any more, the ones on the road are all customs.

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Permalink Reply by Greenman on January 16, 2011 at 7:37pm

That's not true, road trikes are very stable and are not all customs. In fact Harley-Davidson offers factory-made trikes, like this Fire Engine Red Street Glide Trike: http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US/Motorcycles/street-glide-trike... , or this Tri-Glide: http://www.harley-davidson.com/en_US/Motorcycles/tri-glide-ultra-cl... .

Either of these Trikes would make a great First-Response unit for either EMS, or limited Rescue intervention in the case of an MVA where the road approaching the scene is blocked by heavy traffic.

We're not talking about ATVs here, obviously, and we already use four-wheeler ATVs for Search & Rescue work.
Greenman

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Permalink Reply by Greenman on January 16, 2011 at 8:13pm

Another option is the TomCat rescue vehicle ( http://www.fosterrescue.com/products/TOMCAT%20On-Line%20Brochure.pdf ). Although not really street legal in the U.S., I'm sure the AHJ could allow these to along roadways where larger apps can't get through, this little vehicle can squeeze through some real tight places! I drove one for three years in Korea and was always amazing at well we were able to get through alleys and pedestrian gates when we needed to.

There's an ambulance version, too! http://www.fosterrescue.com/products/Mini-Amb%20Brochure.pdf

Lots of options out there for unconventional rescue/EMS/First Response vehicles.

Greenman

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Permalink Reply by ashfire on January 16, 2011 at 8:33pm

Back in the 70s we had a volunteer chief in our dept that had to have a motorcycle as his response vehicle and he went to the Harley Davidson shop and bought a police cycle and made into a fire bike for him. He had two bikes in the time he was chief until he left.
Now the Japanese they started with off road bikes and also now use street bikes that can allow two riders and equipment.
I have seen news videos showing how they operate in the cities like Tokyo.

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Permalink Reply by roy yoder on January 16, 2011 at 9:26pm

HEY FOLKS report outside the box. downtown new york don't run tankers and the plains in the west country don't run ladders to prairie fires. can't find the website right now but there is a disc that you throw in a house fire and the impulse gun are great inovations and will not be used by everyone so in congested areas and possible other areas this could be a valuable solution. bear in mind if you have a size nine boot you don''t try and wear a size 14 so go figure. the world don't revolve around your fire dept. nor does the son circle the earth. THAT MAY BE A NEWS FLASH FOR SOME. LOL