Having had a successful year in the fire and rescue market, not only securing their place on the Firebuy framework agreement for Special Vehicles and Fire Appliances, WH Bence were given the privileged job of building the state of the art West Midlands Fire and Rescue Service Command Unit.
Based on a 16 tonne FL Volvo chassis, the layout and body design centred on the specialist nature of the incident, command and control software and equipment required more modern day metropolitan incidents. The interior is split into two key areas; the first being the communications and control area, providing five positions for both radio and control operatives this is situated at the front end of the unit and has been designed to allow easy communication between operators with a specially designed ergonomic desk unit.
The rear section of the vehicle acts as the Command Area offering space for interagency briefs or specific incident management meetings. This area is provided with the latest 42• touch screen technology and provides the operator with up to date information including asset position, local mapping facility and access to on the ground body worn cameras providing live feed from the incident.
The vehicle has been designed to be completely self-sufficient, with an on board generator providing power for all of Excelerate Technologies’ state of the art equipment, but also all the environmental requirements of this type of facility. Equipped with a 9m Vimpex air mast, WH Bence were able to provide the platform for the West Midlands Fire and Rescue Tetra Communications system and also the latest Micky camera system, providing 360 degree vision from on board.
Paul Burnham of West Midlands Fire and Rescue comments “WH Bence have worked with us throughout the design and build of this vehicle and have understood both our needs and requirements for this type of modern command facility. The layout offers both the required flexibility for our operatives and also provides the infrastructure for the on board technology, which has become more a more crucial part of modern Fire fighting and incident management.”
This unit will be featured heavily in assisting Dorset Fire and Rescue Service with their preparations for the Olympic Games sailing regattas which will be held in the summer of 2012.
The vehicle will be unveiled at the Emergency Service show as the centre piece of the W H Bence Coachworks stand.
