Combining the Fire-engine and Trailer.
Page 62
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DURING our visit to the Berlin Motor Show of last year we came across several interesting examples of a combined type of fire-fighting apparatus which would appear to possess many possibilities and have a really practical application.
It has long been realized by fire engineers that the motor pump and the trailer pump each has its particular
advantages. The one can travel at high speeds under its own power, whilst the other can be towed by almost any vehicle or manoeuvred by hand and can be taken into positions which would be practically inaccessible to the high-speed appliance. In the German machines to which we have alluded a useful combination has been effected by which the inherent advantages of both types have been embodied in a single machine.
It will be seen from the illustration of one of thee appliances that a fire trailer equfpped with a powerful engine and pump is carried on the motive unit, which closely resembles a fire pump proper, and so long as the trailer is in position this is what it really is, the trailer being simply considered as a detachable engine and pump which can cruise away from the mother vehicle and FO take advantage of its better manceuvrability and lighter weight.
When in position on the vehicle the trailer is locked into position by means of the folding ramps, which, when hinged out, provide a means by which the trailer pump can be run off or on to the vehicle.
We think that the system possesses certain meritorious features which deserve consideration. The appliance certainly is novel, and it remains to be seen whether it would prove as practicable as it would seem to be.
C40 There are many cities and towns in Britain which have numerous narrow streets and back alleys to which access by a comparatively large fire appliance is most difficult and often well-nigh impossible. For such areas a fire appliance of this type would appear to possess many points of value, as it is a matter of a few moments only to unship the trailer pump, whilst accommodation for ample supplies of hose is
afforded on the motor vehicle, and a sufficiently large crew to cope with all requirements can be carried.
Another scheme which.might he practicable is to utilize several trailer pumps in connection with one motor vehicle, so that fires in different parts of a city can be dealt with simultaneously'. Provided that the calls did, not occur together, the motor vehicle could leave one trailer at a time.