Iveco Daily adds New Dimension to Fire Service support

VT Support Services (VT) has taken delivery of four Iveco Daily 35S18 long wheelbase vans which are equipped as mobile maintenance units (MMU) to support the Fire and Rescue Services’ New Dimension specialist fleet of emergency vehicles and equipment modules.

The four Dailys each offer 17.2m³ of load space – the largest of any panel van on the UK market – accessible via a wide side-sliding door and 270-degree opening twin rear doors. Each vehicle benefits from a comprehensive specification which includes work benches and racking and will be used by VT to support New Dimension vehicles and equipment modules at locations throughout the country in the event of major incidents, by offering mobile maintenance and repairs.

Keith Holland, VT Support Services Technical Director, explains: “New Dimension is a major programme for VT and an important part of the country’s civil resilience and homeland security capability.

“The Daily vans’ primary role will be to support New Dimension equipment and vehicles, but they may also be required to assist the Fire and Rescue Service in large scale incidents over a number of days – such as the major floods experienced in the UK over recent years. They have been specified to deliver in every possible eventuality, with Daily selected for its proven reliability, manoeuvrability and load space capacity,” he says.

The four new Daily’s will assist VT in providing maintenance, repair and overhaul services and communications management to support the 16-year New Dimension contract with Firebuy on behalf of the Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG).

Powered by top-of-the-range 3.0 litre High Performance Turbo (HPT) engines delivering an impressive 176 hp with 400 Nm of torque between 1,250 and 3,000 rev/min, the Daily’s offer best-in-class performance and combine the possibility of moving heavy loads at sustained high average speeds.

Every single component used in these top-of-the-range engines are designed for heavy-duty, prolonged work, with the timing belt, for example, projected to last for the full life of the vehicle and successfully tested to 350,000 km. As with all Iveco Daily engines, this is built using the Group’s expertise as the world’s largest manufacturer of diesel engines over 70 hp.

The vehicle specification also includes an Auto Mate on-board vehicle AC power and weld system, providing a welding station and battery charging capability.

The system includes a power source for emergency lighting and electrical equipment, whilst other features include a set of tool chests, remote 12V sockets, three swivel work lamps, large interior fluorescent lighting and non-slip matting for all shelves and draws.

A hot and cold hand wash and water storage facility has also been fitted along with a five-person first aid kit and eyewash station.

New Dimension assets are operated by the 46 Fire and Rescue Services throughout England, and include more than 500 vehicles and specialist modules. This includes high volume pumps, mass decontamination and urban search and rescue units, each designed to support fire and rescue services in the event of a major incident – whether caused by a terrorist attack, industrial accident or natural disaster.

Supplied by Midlands-based Iveco dealer Guest Trucks, the Daily’s are expected to cover up to 80,000 miles during their time on the fleet and will remain in frontline operation for five years.