New Appliances for Fires and Accidents
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REPEAT orders for a number of Commer fire appliances have been placed with the Reading Garage Co., Ltd., by the Berkshire and Reading Fire Brigade. Besides some 500-gallon water tenders, they include a forwardcontrol breakdown vehicle and a Superpoise service van.
The tenders, most of which carry bodywork by Hampshire Car Bodies, Ltd., Southampton, are equipped with two hose reels, a portable 250 g.p.m. pump, ladders, 2,750 ft. of hose, chemical extinguishert and two-way radio. Some have 400-500 g.p.m, pumps driven From power take-offs. • The breakdown vehicle has bodywork by H. Markham, Ltd, Reading. Its function is to attend street, lift or railway accidents, and it is also equipped to deal with emergencies arising from defects in refrigeration plants and coal-gas systems. A Harvey Frost crane is mounted on a revolving base and adjustable legs extending to the ground enable weights up to 6 tons to
be lifted quickly. There is also a power-operated winch.
The four-seat crew compartment has racks for protective clothing, breathing apparatus, oxy-acetylene equipment, axes, crowbars and jacks. Whenever necessary, a trailer carrying a portable lighting plant may be towed.
The " Superpoise " service tender carries a full complement of vehicle servicing tools, including a compressor, air lines, drills, grinder, sparking-plug cleaner, work bench, a four-hay oil drum stand, hydraulic jacks, small tools and replacement parts. Virtually a mobile service station which attends major emergencies where a number of appliances is in action, it is also employed to carry out maintenance of appliances attached to fire stations in smaller towns and villages which is usually done by part-time and volunteer firemen.
The brigade also employs a fleet of Express delivery vans, units of which have been found more versatile than the usual type of "fire car," as the vans are able to carry additional equipment. in the Commers adapted for this purpose, two extra seats arc provided in the front of the body, and a combination writing desk (with map case) and first-aid-kit store occupies part of the rear portion. Two-way radio is installed .