Our Capability Booklet

Pumping appliances have varying degrees of capability linked to their respective local risk:

Fire engines carry a crew range of 4 to 8. The minimum skillsets are an officer in charge (level one incident command trained), a driver, and two other crew members. All appliances carry 1800 litres of water. Most can produce between 2250 l/min to 4000 l/min dependent upon the pump which is fitted to the appliance.

Firefighting Equipment

MSA M1 SCBA (Breathing Apparatus):

The M1 breathing apparatus represents the most advanced, ergonomic and modular SCBA system on the market which was designed and developed side-by-side with firefighters. This all-new breathing apparatus platform includes several innovative and customizable features that help to enhance hygiene and improve comfort.

Extrication capability:

A range of hydraulic cutting and rescue equipment, powered by battery or petrol generator, is available on all fire engines. There are also high-pressure airbags that can lift a maximum of 12 tonnes.

Positive Pressure Ventilation (PPV) Fan:

Used to remove smoke from buildings or hazardous substances such as gases and vapours. Also advantageous for increasing ventilation in a range of different environments.

Thermal Image Camera (TIC):

Each Fire Engine carries a thermal imaging camera.

Lighting:

Fire engines carry battery-powered portable lighting equipment as seen below, as well as scene lighting located on the side and roof of the appliance.

Electric Vehicle Fire Blanket:

The blanket is used to minimise combustion and stop fire spread at incidents involving electric vehicles.

Wildfire Equipment:

All fire stations have access to lightweight equipment (hoses etc.) used for attending incidents with difficult access and on difficult terrain.

Six stations have an enhanced capability, using the station’s 4x4, to carry a water tank and a small pump.

All our fire engines have the capability and equipment to respond to water-related incidents.

Operational staff are trained at various levels from water responders to swift water technicians and the equipment carried by fire engines varies depending on this level of training.

Moving Water Responder (WR)

• Moving waters < 4mph
• Wading techniques and water
• Rescue capability
• Bank-side safety and rescue capability (throw lines, reach poles, hose inflation)
• Spate/Flood response

Moving Water Technician (WT)

• Supporting incidents involving swift-moving and unpredictable waters (Over 4mph)
• Integrated rope and water rescue techniques
• Technical water rescue search operations within the moving water environment
• Flood/Spate conditions

Water Specialist Response Unit (WSRU)

The Water and Specialist Response Vehicles (WSRU) are a multi-role asset, with their primary function focused on water and mud rescue. They are designed to carry rescue boats, mud rescue equipment, and water rescue equipment, while also providing a dedicated space for crews to change. The vehicles will be based at Scunthorpe, Peaks Lane, Bransholme and Goole stations, with an additional unit allocated for training purposes.

Each WSRU is also equipped with additional resources aligned to local risk profiles. For example, Peaks Lane carries enhanced RTC equipment, while Goole is equipped with large animal rescue equipment. Across all four operational vehicles, there is further capability, including EV fire response equipment and bariatric equipment.

This approach ensures that each unit is not only capable of delivering specialist water rescue functions but also provides a flexible and risk-based response to a wider range of operational incidents.

Rescue Boats

Location: Hull East Cluster, Grimsby, Scunthorpe and Goole

• Humber 4m inflatable Rescue Boat and DF25 Suzuki (v-twin) outboard engine
• IONIC Ranger 470 inflatable Rescue Boat and Mercury 40bhp 2-stroke engine

These assets are available to assist as a safety platform for water-based incidents.

• To support water and flood-related incidents
• Reports of multiple persons in moving water
• Regional / National Response

Flood Response Equipment:

Location: Hull East Cluster, Grimsby, Scunthorpe, Goole, Bridlington

Rescue Sled for incidents involving surface rescues:

• Water
• Ice
• Mud
• Unstable ground

Flood Rafts

Location: Hull East Cluster, Grimsby, Scunthorpe, Goole, Bridlington

• 10 x 15-person flood raft

Mud Rescue:

Location: Grimsby, Scunthorpe, Hull Central Cluster and  Hull East Cluster

• 2.5m mud-specific air paths capable of fast deployment and ease of manoeuvrability

All fire stations have at least one fire engine which carries 2 gas-tight suits.

Additional gas-tight suits can be requested, see ‘Environmental Protection and 

Decontamination Unit

Gas Detection:

Each fire engine carries a personal multi-gas monitor. Capable of detecting Carbon Monoxide, Hydrogen Sulphide, Oxygen Levels and Lower Explosive Limit values. In addition, specialist hazardous material advisors carry an enhanced detector capable of detecting volatile organic compounds.

Personal Dosimeter:

2 carried on each Fire Engine to measure the personal absorbed dose and gamma radiation dose rate.

Survey Meter:

Each Hazmat Officer carries a survey meter used to detect and monitor Radiation sources.

Detection, Identification and Monitoring (DIM) Vehicle

Location: Hull Central Cluster

These vehicles are used to support incidents involving known or unknown chemicals and have the equipment to enable:

Detection of a range of chemical or radiological hazardous substances

Identification of hazardous substances whether chemical biological or radiological

Monitor the levels of contamination present to establish and maintain cordons Mobilised with specialist officers trained in hazardous materials.

Also provides equipment and showers for decontaminating Firefighters.

Environmental protection:

Each fire engine carries 1 x environmental protection grab pack including:

• Leak-sealing putty
• Drain sealing mats
• Oil absorbent pads
• 10m poly boom

Environmental Protection and Decontamination Unit (EDU)

Location: Immingham

The EDU is split into two sections.

Front, Firefighter Decontamination:

• Hazardous materials decontamination
• Fire Service staff only, not used for public decontamination
• Air structure with integrated shower
• Inductor unit for inducing detergents/neutralising agents
• Wastewater containment pillows
• Larger supply of gas-tight suits (8)

Rear, Environmental Protection:

• Supply of individual grab pack contents in greater quantities
• Large and small booms – 100/150m lengths (can contain chemicals on the surface, or divert flood water etc.)
• Overpack drums (assorted sizes 114-360 litres)
• Pop-up pools (100 or 250 litres) (these may also be carried on front-line appliances)
• Flexi-tank and  Flexi-tank liners
• Chemical and oil absorbent pads
• Inflatable drain blocker
• River boom

Mass Decontamination Unit (MDU)

Location: Immingham

Capable of supporting incidents requiring a mass decontamination function.

Forms part of a local, regional, and national response (through National Resilience) Designed to facilitate the decontamination of up to 300 people per hour.

Can provide for the simultaneous mass decontamination of ambulant casualties and be adapted to facilitate non-ambulant casualties.

All fire engines have Short Extension and Roof Ladders and either a 10.5m or 13.5m Ladder.

Aerial Appliances

Location: Grimsby and Bridlington

• Supporting incidents involving height:
• Rescue from height.
• Lighting platforms
• Water application from height
• Viewing platform 

Bronto Skylift 32m Aerial Ladder Platform (ALP)

• Max working height - 32m
• Max side outreach - 23m
• Rotation continuous - 360 degrees
• Max cage load- 400kg (4 persons)

Magirus Turntable Ladder M42L-AS (TL)

Location: Scunthorpe

Built on a Scania Low Entry 18-tonne chassis, the appliance features a five-section ladder set, Magirus Computer Stabilisation (CS), and a patented single-extension system. Together, these technologies deliver exceptional stability, flexibility, and safe deployment in challenging operational environments.

The articulated design enables crews to access difficult locations, including narrow city streets, complex industrial sites, and below-ground areas where conventional aerial appliances may have limited reach.

The Magirus Direct Entry (MDE) rescue cage is equipped with a central control stand, thermal imaging and real-image cameras, integrated LED lighting, and a manually or electrically controlled water monitor.

In addition to its rescue capabilities, the appliance delivers powerful firefighting performance, supplying up to 2,500 litres of water per minute, equivalent to approximately seven bathtubs of water every 60 seconds.

Features include Autopilot memory control, remote diagnostics, specialist rope rescue functionality, and enhanced safety systems designed to support firefighters operating in demanding conditions.

• Max working height - 42m
• Penetration Depth - 4.9m
• Rotation continuous - 360 degrees
• Max cage load - 300kg

Bronto Skylift 45m Aerial Ladder Platform (ALP) 

Location: West Hull

• Max working height - 45m
• Max side outreach - 26.5m
• Rotation continuous - 360 degrees
• Max cage load - 500kg

Height Rescue

• Level 1 – Has the ability to work safely at height.
• Level 2 – Has the capability to rescue from height up to 50m
• Level 3 – 100m rescue capability, enhanced skills and an array of equipment for more complex rescues.

Height Rescue Equipment:

• 50 metre rope
• 100 metre rope
• Ascending and descending capability
• Third party rescue
• Pulley systems
• Integration of confined space equipment capabilities
• Casualty harnesses
• Stretcher lifting capability (Titan traverse rescue stretcher)
• Confined Space

Location: Immingham

30 metres reach capability.

Integration of technical and rope rescue.

Emergency situations may involve:

• Vertical/horizontal rescues.
• Entering and exiting confined spaces.
• Shaft spaces.
• Ship compartments.
• Deep caverns.
• Assisting in casualty-centred rescues.
• Third party rescue

One casualty care bag is carried on all fire engines, accompanied by an additional oxygen cylinder, masks and a defibrillator.

All operational staff are trained in alignment with a national framework for pre-hospital care being able to treat things such as catastrophic bleeds, smoke inhalation, traumatic injuries, and an array of medical illnesses.

There is also a provision to provide oxygen therapy to small animals.

Types of response

Across the Service, there are two types of medical response:

• Falls – A single vehicle crewed by two staff who respond to patients who have fallen, generally without injury. The vehicle carries a mechanical device to assist lifting the patient back into a safe place.
• Emergency First Responders – Across multiple stations, firefighters with enhanced medical training respond, single crewed, to medical emergencies in a car on behalf of Yorkshire and East Midlands Ambulance Trusts. Using additional observation equipment to assess and treat patients before an ambulance arrives.

Casualty Movement

• Level 1: All front-line appliances. Equipment – Mega Mover casualty sheet to assist with general moving and transferring of patients.

• Level 2: Location: Immingham, Bridlington, Goole, Scunthorpe and North Hull

  Equipment - Mega Mover casualty sheet, Slide sheets, Medi-wrap, EvacMat.

• Level 3: A level 3 response constitutes one of the level 2 stations along with a Rescue Support Unit. The Rescue Support Units carry additional lifting and moving equipment as well as structural stability equipment.

  As the Rescue Support Units are located at Scunthorpe and North Hull the response will likely be from these stations. The other level 2 stations can be used if Scunthorpe or North Hull are otherwise engaged.

Location: Brough

The Command Unit uses information and communication technology to support the command and control of an incident. It provides multiple working areas including a standalone inflatable structure for commanders. This allows for multi-agency meetings or a suitable area to manage an incident. The accompanying crew form the command support team to assist any kind of incident.

Specialist Officers

The Service has trained officers to provide specialist knowledge at incidents involving the following:

• National Inter-agency Liaison Officer (NILO)
• Tier 2 Fire and Explosion Investigation (FI)
• Hazardous Materials Advisor (HMA)
• Detection, Identification and Monitoring (DIM)
• Radiation Protection Supervisor
• Water Incident Management (WIM)
• Flood Rescue Tactical Advisor
• Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear Tactical Advisor and Tactical and Strategic Commanders
• Waste Fire Tactical Advisor
• Wildfire Advisor
• Communications (Airwaves) Tactical Advisor
• Fire and Rescue Marine Response Assessment Officer
• Watch Manager Operational Support Group (Command and Control and  Drone Operators)

Location: Hull (Clough Rd), Cleethorpes, Waltham

The Tactical Response Vehicle is crewed by 2 firefighters and is used to provide a fast response to incidents involving small fires. It can also negotiate both small urban and rural terrain, with a 4x4 capability.

Other Equipment:

• Rescue tools – Combi tool, De-Walt saw, blocks and  wedges, sign and cones.
• BA – 1 x BA Set – No internal Firefighting capability.
• Water Rescue – Life jackets and  throwline
• Wildfire – Beaters, Hay drags.
• 4 Section Multi-use ladders.
• Gaining access tools

Location: Hull (Clough Road), Scunthorpe

The role of the Rescue Support Unit (RSU) is to provide additional and enhanced capabilities that are not available on the front-line appliances.

The main capabilities are specialist hydraulic cutters, spreaders and rams that can run off a petrol power-pack or a battery, enabling greater mobility and use underwater as well as supporting crews at RTC’s with a greater range of available rescue equipment.

• Lifting and supporting struts that can be used for shoring, support and heavy lifting at incidents involving LGVs, trenches and building collapse
• Working platforms to enable access and egress
• Bariatric rescue and removal equipment including, Medi-wrap, Evac-mat, ELK lifting chair, Pro-move slings, SLIX rescue stretcher. (See Bariatric Section)
• Battery impact wrenches and drivers
• Large airbags for LGV and building collapse support and lifting
• Battery-operated fan
• Trolley and bottle jacks
• Snake-eye camera
• Go-jacks for moving vehicles

Location: Immingham

Responds to incidents involving animals and carries mechanical means of lifting using the Manitou.

Although all operational staff are trained in working around animals, rescues will only be undertaken when suitably trained crews are in attendance.

Manitou

Location: Immingham

Carried by the animal rescue sled, this has a hook and forks to provide a heavy lifting facility. The boom can extend out to 5 metres and has a lifting range (dependent upon reach) of 1150Kg – 3500Kg.

Location: Kirton in Lindsey, Brough and Watch Manager Operational Support Group

External Drone: DJI Matrice 4TD Standalone Combo

The aircraft weighs approximately 1.85 kg and features an IP55 rating for dust and water resistance. It offers up to 54 minutes of flight time, a top speed of 21 m/s (47 mph), wind resistance of up to 15 m/s, and can operate in temperatures ranging from -20°C to 50°C.

Its payload includes a high-resolution thermal camera, three 48 MP visual cameras providing wide-angle, medium telephoto, and telephoto views, a laser rangefinder with a range of up to 1,800 metres, and an NIR auxiliary light for enhanced low-light operations.

The aircraft uses DJI O4 Enterprise transmission technology, providing reliable long-range connectivity, and is equipped with a five-directional obstacle sensing system to support safe and effective flight operations.

Internal Drone: DJI Avata 2

The DJI Avata 2 is an immersive FPV (First-Person View) drone designed for both cinematic filming and agile flight. It features a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor capable of recording 4K video at up to 100fps, including 4K/60fps HDR, with RockSteady and HorizonSteady stabilisation for smooth footage.

Weighing approximately 377g, the Avata 2 offers up to 23 minutes of flight time and can reach speeds of up to 60 mph in Manual mode. Integrated propeller guards enhance safety and durability, while 46GB of internal storage provides onboard recording capacity.

High Volume Pump

Location: Beverley

National Resilience

The HVP forms part of the national resilience fleet and if necessary, we can call upon other Fire Services Assets whether HVP or Hoses through National Resilience via control.

Supporting Flood Related incidents and movement of large quantities of water:

• 3KM hose.
• Pump lift 55m.
• Minimum water depth of 150mm.
• Pumps large volumes of water to scene of operations
• Is equal in capacity to 5 fire engines.
• Can provide water to low and high tier COMAH site ring mains or other on-site firefighting equipment.
• Compatible with our WSU, Environment Agency and East Riding Council pumps.

Water Support Unit

Location: Barton

Supports incidents which involve the delivery or removal of large quantities of water and incidents where water shortages are anticipated (e.g., farms)

Equipment:

• 67 Lengths (2 Kms) of 125mm Hi Volume water relay hose.
• 5-way distribution manifolds: (Enabling the hose to be laid in a ring main or to facilitate several outlets on a single high-volume line).
• 2-way Y pieces (Enabling the Hi Vol hose line to be divided into two).
• 4-way collecting boxes
• Ejector Pumps.
• Compatible with our HVP, Environment Agency and East Riding Council pumps.

Bulk Water Supplies

Location: Immingham

Supports incidents which require large amounts of water, by providing 10,000L of water contained in IBCs. A dam is carried to allow the storage and use of the water for a sustained period.

Fire Engine foam equipment:

• Capable of supporting incidents requiring foam application. All fire engines that are foam capably carry 2 x 20ltr foam concentrate.
• The remaining fire engines carry 1 x foam prima extinguisher, which holds 9ltrs of foam concentrate and attaches to the hose reel.

Bulk Foam Carriers

Location: Immingham

Bulk foam 1 (Combi sled) this sled will carry between 6000-8000lts of foam concentrate and making equipment.

Bulk foam 2 (bulk foam carrier) between 8000-10000lts of foam concentrate.

Level of response:

• Level 1A, Foam appliance with 2x 20l drums
• Level 1B, Bulk foam 1 (combi sled) with 8000L of foam concentrate.
• Level 1C, Level 1B response, plus bulk foam 2 (bulk foam carrier) with 10000l of foam concentrate
• Level 2, Regional response (between 8000l – 32000l)
• Level 3, National response (over 32000l)

Response – Ships alongside

Location: Hull Central Cluster, Hull East Cluster, Grimsby, Immingham, Scunthorpe and  Goole

Operational marine incidents are attended by the Service's specially trained marine response stations. They have experience and specialised knowledge to deal with incident involving the variety of vessels operating within the Humber area.

Response – Ships underway

Fire and Rescue Marine Assessment Team Location: Service Wide Officers

The assessment team consists of Marine Command-trained personnel. Their role is to assess the needs of a marine incident underway to enable alongside crews to have the appropriate level of resources ready once the vessel is alongside. The team will transfer to the vessel in partnership with the Humberside Police Marine Protect Unit. FDS Station Managers are trained Marine Tac-Advisors to assist in extinguishing vessel.

Location: Driffield and Cleethorpes

The vehicle and facilities are mobilised upon request at any time by the incident commander. This can be used for any incident such as for larger incidents or small, drawn-out incidents.

• 2x Hand washing facilities 
• Mirrors
• Soap dispenser in toilet area
• Paper towel dispenser in toilet area 
• Dignity screen/ private toilet in the rear 
• Storage area to rear with coat hooks. 
• Table
• Whiteboard to be installed next to table. 
• Microwave
• Hot water boiler, 230v socket in the table area Internal and external lighting Integrated storage area/units in the seating area
• Tow bar with electrical connections. 
• Outside lighting to illuminate the rear and sides of the vehicle
• Wipe clean surfaces. 
• Grab rails
• Smoke alarm in seating area. 
• Fire extinguishers
• Fully ventilated and air-conditioned cab

Humberside Fire and Rescue Service has a Specialist Response Team (SRT) who are equipped with ballistic personal protective equipment (BPPE), drag stretchers and enhanced trauma bags with MTA-specific equipment to assist partner agencies when dealing with mass casualty events.

The Service has procured 32 Skoda Kodiaq Flexible Duty System (FDS) vehicles. 16 Station Manager Vehicles, 4 Development Vehicles (2 Hazmat and 2 Fire Investigation) for Station Manager development, 3 Area Manager Vehicles, 8 NILO Vehicles and 1 Spare vehicle. These vehicles have 4x4 capability and more space to meet the demands of the Service.

The FESS vehicle provides post incident support for victims of fire, flooding and other emergencies. It can be requested through Fire Control and includes the provision of:

• Clothing
• Essential household items
• Overnight accommodation

Location: Stores/SHQ

Supports the Service by providing 500L of diesel (and 50L of petrol) which can be towed to any location. This can be used during large or protracted incidents, as well as during prolonged business continuity events.