The Fleet Management Team is responsible for our entire vehicle fleet, a vital asset in the delivery of our services.

We consistently review our design specifications in order to meet the expectations of operational response personnel, achieving high road safety standards, reducing our carbon footprint and keeping pace with changes in technology with the most cost-effective solutions available.

Fleet maintenance centre

The primary function of the fleet maintenance centre (FMC) is to maintain a fully operational fleet of vehicles that are fit for purpose on a timely and cost-effective basis.

The FMC fulfils all the requirements of maintaining a fully operational fleet, including:

  • routine and major servicing
  • repair of any defects, including emergency cover for any problems which
  • affect the Service’s ability to respond to an incident
  • fit out of new appliances and refurbishment of existing appliances

Large appliances

The larger appliances with the operational fleet of appliances are based on commercially available chassis which have a gross vehicle weight of over 7.5 tons.

Water Carriers

Water carrier – 8,000 litre

We currently operate two types of water carrier (WrC), one that carries 8000 litres of water and one that carries 10,000 litres of water. The smaller of the two is based on a 4 x 2 chassis and was first introduced in the 1970’s. It carries 8000 litres of water and one portable water dam. They are strategically located across the county and are used extensively when water supplies are limited or large amounts of water are required in one location.

10,000 litre

The larger of the two types is based on a 6 x 2 chassis and features rear wheel steering to assist with manoeuvrability. This version carries 10,000 litres of water and two portable water dams, light portable pump and hose reels to enable it to work alone if required.

Older model of water carrier
Maritime Incident Support Unit

Maritime Incident Support Unit

The Maritime Incident Support Unit carries equipment fire fighters will need to use if they have to attend an incident on board a ship. This includes dry suits, thermal imaging cameras, life jackets and short duration breathing apparatus worn when being deployed by helicopter.

Search and Rescue Unit

The Search and Rescue Unit is crewed by specially trained fire fighters. It carries equipment used to deal with building collapses, people or animals stuck in trenches, confined space rescue and rescue from height equipment using ropes.​

Search and Rescue Unit
Response support vehicle

Response support vehicle

The response support vehicle is a specialist appliance that carries a wide range of specialist equipment not found on standard pumping appliances. They are mobilised to all serious road traffic collisions and incidents involving hazardous substances. They are based at Basingstoke, Cosham, Newport and Redbridge fire stations.​

Rescue pump – Isle of Wight

Volvo has been the preferred option as chassis provider to us since 1988. When we merged with the Isle of Wight, their existing fleet of appliances became part of the wider HIWFRS fleet. Their preferred chassis provider has been Scania since 2010 and are strategically stationed around the 10 fire stations on the island.

Rescue Pump vehicle
Rescue Pump (RP)

Rescue pump

Rescue pumps are one of the main pumping appliances operated by us. The appliance is equipped with a whole range of firefighting and rescue equipment. As the appliances are equipped with a Compressed Air Foam System they are strategically located across the country.

Light rescue pump

The light rescue pump is the newest pumping appliance to be delivered to us. It is based on a shorter chassis than the rescue pump making it more manoeuvrable around congested city streets and rural roads. It carries a similar inventory to the rescue pump and is equipped with a ultra high pressure system.​

Light Rescue Pump

Small Appliances

The smaller appliances within the HIWFRS appliance fleet are all based on commercially available chassis with a gross vehicle weight of up to 7.5 tons.

Animal Rescue Vehicle

Animal rescue vehicle

Two animal rescue vehicles are currently operated by the us. Both are based on an Iveco Daily 4×4 chassis and are stationed at Winchester and Lyndhurst. They attend all incidents involving large animals such as an horse stuck in a swimming pool or river.​

4×4 Land Rovers

Land Rover appliances are used extensively across Hampshire especially where access to rural locations is limited or a fire fighting response is required off road where their 4×4 capability is used.

Land Rover
Wildfire appliance

Wildfire appliance

The wildfire appliance is a relatively new type of appliance to enter service. It has 4×4 capability, caries 1,000 litres of water and has a front mounted fire fighting monitor.​

Environmental Protection Unit

The Environmental Protection Unit carries specialist pumps, absorbent mats and inflatable booms to contain leaking chemicals or to contain contaminated water following fire fighting operations.​

Environmental Protection Unit
Small fire vehicle

Small fire vehicle

Small fire vehicles are based in urban locations and attend small fires in the open air such as heathland or rubbish bin fires. The appliance is crewed by two firefighters.

Co-responder Vehicle

The co-responder vehicles are used by are firefighters who are trained and assessed in basic life support in the use of an automatic external defibrillators (AED’s) and medical gases. They respond to medical emergencies that have been identified as being appropriate for co-Responders to attend by South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS), to carry out medical care in advance of an ambulance resource attending the incident.

Co Responder Car

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