Land-Rovers donated to vintage plane collection by Beds Fire

Pic captions:

(1) Cllr Sian Timoney, Chair of Bedfordshire & Luton Combined Fire Authority and Paul Fuller, Fire Chief of Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service pictured with members of the Airfield Voluntary Fire Service at Old Warden Aerodrome.

(2) CFO Paul Fuller takes off with Classic Wings

WHEELS OF FIRE AT D DAY AIR DISPLAY

Bedfordshire & Luton Fire and Rescue Service (BLFRS) joined forces with the Airfield Voluntary Fire Service at Old Warden Aerodrome on 6 th June when two fire appliances were handed over at the start of the D Day air display.

Ray Willett, Transport Manager of BLFRS, explained that the 4 wheel drive fire appliances were 20 years old and had become obsolete for use in today's modern fire and rescue service that needed to respond swiftly to incidents countywide and beyond. However the appliances are ideal for use at Old Warden where they will become part of the Voluntary Fire Service, with the added advantage of being able to reach incidents across rough terrain, such as wooded areas.

Councillor Sian Timoney, Chair of Bedfordshire and Luton Combined Fire Authority (CFA), said:

“The CFA get a lot of requests from different organisations, businesses and charities who want our old appliances. The CFA is keen for them to go to local groups so they can benefit local communities. We are delighted that we have been able to hand over these two fire appliances to the Voluntary Fire Service at Old Warden Aerodrome.

“Our focus is to keep fire appliances in local communities and with charitable organisations.”

Chief Fire Officer Paul Fuller of Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Service (BLFRS) added:

“BLFRS is delighted to support the high level of commitment of the crew at Old Warden Aerodrome. It is good to see both services working together with the same aim of protecting the public whether at home, work or taking part in flying displays such as the D Day Air Display today.”

The Airfield Voluntary Fire Service is a charitable organization under the umbrella of the Civil Aviation Authority, who regularly check that exacting standards are being met.

The nature of aviation incidents means that response times need to be 2-3 minutes. Also trained in trauma care, the voluntary team can reach people who may be taken ill in the crowds that throng to the Air Displays and events.

The 25 strong volunteer operational and support team come from a wide range of professions including Social Workers, Police Officers and Retained Firefighters, who train at Biggleswade and Sandy Fire Stations, and Luton Airport.

Old Warden Aerodrome is part of the Shuttleworth Collection of historic aircraft and vehicles.