New fire engines are too noisy to answer 999 calls

Two new fire engines have yet to answer a 999 call after 16 months – because they are "too noisy". The vehicles, known as aerial rescue pumps, were delivered to Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service in January last year. They were supposed to provide cutting-edge technology, combining the attributes of an ordinary fire engine and a high-rise ladder, and were intended to help the service make "considerable savings".

But the engines, for Derby and Chesterfield, have so far proved a costly embarrassment, with fire chiefs claiming they cannot be used because they are so noisy they are felt to be a possible health and safety risk. They would have cost about £1 million to buy but Derbyshire leases the engines for £119,000 a year.



In a statement, the county fire service said: "Since the delivery there has been a need for some considerable training and familiarisation with the vehicles. During this period it was identified that the noise of the vehicles is excessive and may constitute a health issue.

"We must consider the safety, not only of members of the public when we respond, but also of our firefighters. As a result, these appliances will not go 'on the run' until we are satisfied that they are entirely safe."