Hertfordshire FRS put 45m ALP on the run

Freeman Andy Hopcraft, Area Commander, Response & Resilience, with Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service writes that the primary objective in purchasing the new Bronto Skylift F45XR was to increase outreach at height, with enough cage load capacity for several firefighters to work, which was a shortfall of the previous Bronto F27 RLH. Mounted on a Scania P360 rear steer chassis, the ALP is currently the highest ALP to be acquired by a UK fire service.

The envelope that the F45XR has enables outreach capabilities for up to 3 firefighters to work at 30m high and 20m from the base/chassis. This has an advantage in terms of safety for the base operator and vehicle chassis from falling debris, but also increases its usefulness at incidents as we are able to physically access many more buildings than was previously possible.

Secondary objectives were to increase the flexibility of use from that of a water tower. To this end we also specified a higher cage capacity of 500Kg to allow for more kit, personnel, casualties and debris to be carried.  Also specified was an additional casualty stretcher to allow for bariatric rescue from height.

Secondary objectives were to increase the flexibility of use from that of a water tower. To this end we also specified a higher cage capacity of 500Kg to allow for more kit, personnel, casualties and debris to be carried.  Also specified was an additional casualty stretcher to allow for bariatric rescue from height. We also specified multiple 500Kg anchor points on the floor of the cage and on the turret to allow for a two line rope rescue system to be set up.