Greater Manchester Fire Servive first to get a Volvo FL

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service is the first fire service in the UK to take delivery of a new Volvo FL truck.

The new vehicle, which will be used as a driver training vehicle for members of the fire service, becomes the latest addition in a fleet of over 120 Volvo trucks.

Currently operating two older Volvo FL12’s based at driver training centres at Wigan and Philip Parks Fire Station, the decision which was made to purchase an additional vehicle. However with new regulations from the DSA on training vehicles, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service had to consider the latest criteria before an order was placed.

Brigade Engineer, John Collier, commented that, “Recent industry changes to standardise all training vehicles meant that we had to search the market to ensure the strict criteria was met.” He added that, “Volvo was the only company to meet all of our requirements, in the terms of the new regulations, price and delivery.” Purchased from Municipal Sales Manager, David Greenwood at Thomas Hardie Commercials in Wigan, the Volvo FL-240, 4x2 rigid with rear air suspension, also has Euro 4 technology to minimise emissions. In light of this, the vehicle will help the Fire Service, as they strive to reduce their carbon footprint across the city.

Based from Manchester Fire and Rescue’s fire station in Wigan, the new vehicle has already received a glowing report. John commented that, “Our instructors have praised the vehicles overall performance and ease of use for new LGV drivers.”

The latest driver training addition can be seen across the City of Manchester, but will predominantly operate across the Boroughs of Wigan and Leigh. The service’s other training centre at Philips Park now have their own Volvo FL on order, which is expected to be delivered very soon.