Suffolk Fire and Rescue has taken delivery of a new lightweight appliance that can be used when other larger vehicles are unavailable.
The smaller appliance will be based at Wrentham Fire Station between Southwold and Lowestoft – and can be staffed by as few as two firefighters if necessary. A normal appliance needs a crew of at least four. It weighs five tonnes less than a standard appliance – and costs £35,000 less.
The new appliance has been introduced to Wrentham, which was under threat of closure in 2015, at a special ceremony this week. The standard appliance has been sent to another Suffolk fire station.
Matthew Hicks, Suffolk County Council’s cabinet member for Public Protection said: “Introducing the LRP means that we are able to meet the needs of the local community and surrounding area, while also ensuring that valuable resources are used in the most effective way.”
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