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North Wales boosts FL Fire appliance range

Municipal Vehicles
Five Volvo FL-260 fire appliances have joined the fleet of North Wales Fire & Rescue Service, as part of a rolling programme of vehicle replacement.
Supplied by Thomas Hardie Commercials on Deeside, a total of 21 Volvo FL vehicles is scheduled to enter service in North Wales in the coming months. These are the first purchases of standard front line fire appliances by the Service for four years. The Volvos were specified with a range of new equipment and design concepts, such as a power-assisted ladder gantry and drop down steps, so that fire fighters can operate more effectively and safely. There is also a new electronic control system for the Godiva Prima pump which, says North Wales Fire & Rescue Service fleet manager Dave Bond, is "more intuitive and easier to use". At only 2,320mm wide over the rear axles, the Volvo trucks are designed for ease of access for both narrow streets and rural areas, such as farm drives and upland tracks. Bond reports that an additional benefit of the Volvo concept is a significantly improved turning circle. "We have worked hard with our workforce, the vehicle manufacturer and fire appliance bodybuilders to create this state-of-the-art frontline fire engine," states Bond. "The standard Volvo crew cab has been reduced in length by 150mm to improve manoeuvrability and turning circle. In addition, we have improved safety for the fire fighters riding in the rear, with the introduction of seats that cater for a diverse workforce who are spending more time in the vehicles visiting communities."

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