'Don't Drive At More Than 15mph'

Incredibe safety warning over new vehicles that wasn't given to rescue crews

Dec 7 2008 By Charles Lavery

FIRE chiefs failed to tell emergency crews of warnings that a £5million new fleet of vehicles was unsafe.

Safety experts delivered two separate warnings that the new Aerial Rescue Platforms should not be driven round corners at more than 15mph.

But brigade chiefs rejected the verdict on the 12 new vehicles - and did not pass on the warnings.

Independent firm Incinalysis gave the damning verdict after a prototype ARP rolled over at 17mph. They twice wrote to brigade solicitor Kay Pitt issuing warnings about the fleet on May 28 and June 4 last year.

But unions say the brigade's drivers and staff were never told about the suggested speed restriction.

The Fire Brigades Union said: "We are extremely concerned that a public service can with-hold information that not only put at risk the lives of our members but also those of the public.

"Someone must answer to this and be held accountable. To this end we are taking legal advice and will react accordingly when that advice is received."

The brigade - led by chief fire officer Brian Sweeney - bought 12 of the vehicles at a combined cost of just over £5million.

The two-in-one appliances have the capacity to fight fires and rescue people trapped in high places.

But a prototype based at Hamilton fire station rolled over on one of its first jobs last year.

Because of the doubts over their safety, the ARP vehicles have been renamed CRAP by some firefighters.

The crash, in which six firefighters were hurt, happened at the Bothwell Bridge mini roundabout in Lanarkshire on May 20, 2007. The driver was charged with careless driving but no further proceedings were taken.

He is still off work after the incident.

A brigade source said the Incinalysis warning was only discovered by firefighters and unions last month when it was brought to the attention of an unrelated industrial tribunal.

The source added: "There is understandable anger across the place."

In a letter passed to the Sunday Mail, Incinalysis investigator Jack Marshall said: "The recommendation (of the 15mph limit) is not made lightly and I fully realise it may cause operational problems and concerns.

"I am also well aware that in-house protocols will have to be met and respected but having been instructed to investigate the accident involving this appliance I am obligated to provide best advice."

A submission to the tribunal from brigade lawyers said: "The respondent would ask the tribunal to find the reason for not releasing the two letters was due to both a question of interpretation and confidentiality due to ongoing investigations."

A spokesman for Strathclyde Fire & Rescue said: "These letters have not been backed up by any report from Mr Marshall.

"We have received nothing to substantiate his claim that these vehicles should not travel at more than 15mph on corners.

"These appliances have attended 22,000 incidents since their introduction and bring a better rescue ability to the service."

GO HERE for the official article.