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.

Firefighting:

All fire engines carry four breathing apparatus sets, allowing staff to work in hazardous or irrespirable atmospheres such as smoke or toxic gasses.

Water delivery and pumping capacity:

All fire engines carry 1800 litres of water.

Most fire engines can produce between 2250 l/min to 4000 l/min dependent upon the pump that is fitted to the fire engine.

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 twelve tonnes.

Breathing Apparatus:

All fire engines carry compressed air breathing apparatus (CABA) sets as standard, as well as all tactical response vehicles and rapid intervention vehicles. Each vehicle carries between 1 and 4 breathing apparatus sets that can be used for activities involving a respiratory risk, such as smoke, hazardous materials, or other inhalation hazards.

The breathing apparatus sets use a compressed air cylinder to supply the wearer with an approximate 30-minute duration of breathing air (dependent upon the intensity of work being conducted).

Forced entry equipment:

Various equipment is used to gain access to premises and vehicles using destructive and less-destructive methods.

Positive Pressure Ventilation 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:

Each Fire Engine carries a thermal imaging camera for use in the detection of usually persons or fires/hotspots.

Lighting:

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

Electric Vehicle Fire Blanket:

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

Wildfire Equipment:

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

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

Tall Building Equipment:

Fire engines carry equipment for use within high-rise buildings, this includes keys for accessing information and taking control of lifts. As well as access equipment, there are smoke curtains and branches:

Fire stations with tall buildings in their station area carry this equipment, as well as smoke curtains which restrict the flow of smoke and air.

Hose branches (nozzle) can work at lower pressures to offset the height effect of water supplies.

Additional command and control procedures are available such as the use of high-rise evacuation boards. Each building has a pre-set board, which firefighters and control can use to track the evacuation progress and highlight rooms that are cleared, empty, occupied or receiving fire survival guidance.

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
• Spate/flood conditions

Rescue Boats

The Service has a range of boats at locations across the Service area. They are available to assist as a safety platform for water-based incidents. To support water and flood-related incidents, including reports of multiple persons in moving water.

Flood Response Equipment

Rescue Sled for incidents involving surface rescues: as well as 15 person flood rafts

• Water
• Ice
• Mud
• Unstable ground

As well as 15 person flood rafts across the Service locations.

Mud Rescue

Based at Service locations 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 two 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:

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

Survey Meter:

Each fire station had at least one fire engine which carries a survey meter used to detect and monitor Radiation sources.

Detection, Identification and Monitoring (DIM) Vehicle

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 environmental protection grab pack including:

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

Environmental Protection and Decontamination Unit (EDU)

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)
• 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)

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 Ladder Appliances supporting incidents involving height:

• Rescue from height
• Lighting platforms
• Water application from height
• Viewing platform

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

Based in Immingham we have the integration of technical and rope rescue with 30 metres reach capability.

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, without injury. The vehicle carries a mechanical device to assist in lifting the patient back into a safe place.
• Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) – Across multiple stations, firefighters with enhanced medical training respond, single crewed, to medical emergencies in a car on behalf of Yorkshire (YAS) and East Midlands Ambulance Trusts (EMAS). Using additional observation equipment to assess and treat patients before an ambulance arrives. This is predominantly, category one calls such as cardiac arrests, breathing difficulties, chest pains, as examples.

Casualty Movement / Casualties with complex needs (Bariatric)

Level 1:

All fire engines have a Mega Mover casualty sheet to assist with patients' general moving and transferring.

Level 2:

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

Level 3:

The Rescue Support Units carry additional lifting and moving equipment as well as structural stability equipment.

Additional Support:

• Technical rescue from Immingham may be requested to support the Rescue Support Units should rope systems be needed to be used to safely move a patient.
• Aerial Ladder Platforms can also be requested to assist with rescues from most floor levels, whereby they can be used to transfer the patient directly outside, without the need to traverse stairs or other complex locations.

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)

The Tactical Response Vehicle is crewed by two 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, wedges, sign and cones
• BA – 1 x BA Set – No internal Firefighting capability
• Water Rescue – Life jackets & throwline
• Wildfire – Beaters, Hay drags
• 4 Section Multi-use ladders
• Gaining access tools

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

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

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 to 3500Kg.

Drone

Humberside Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) and Humberside Police (HP) have a joint UAV asset. The drones are held and operated by HFRS but are deployable to incidents in either partner agency area of business.

Drone limitations include:

• 25 mins uninterrupted flight time and total 2 hr flight time with battery rotation
• Operational flights are ‘normally’ restricted to the inner cordon, but this is risk and incident dependant
• Flight distance from the pilot is 500m (as standard, 500m can be extended for emergencies) and up to a height of 120m (400ft)
• Immediately deployable due to its size and can deploy with the following:
• A high-intensity spotlight to direct lost persons
• A speaker for relaying messages i.e., to a casualty or ground teams
• 30 times zoom
• High Spec thermal imaging camera

National Police Air Service (NPAS)

Aircraft Streaming Terminal

The Vislink handheld streaming terminal allows direct streaming from the NPAS aircraft cameras to the user, with the ability to attach an HDMI to allow viewing on a larger screen such as the Command Unit.

High Volume Pump

National Resilience Asset

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 amounts of water:

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

Water Support Unit

Supports incidents which involve the delivery or removal of large amounts 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 high-volume hose line to be divided into two).
• 4-way collecting boxes
• Ejector Pumps.
• Compatible with the HFRS HVP, Environment Agency and East Riding Council pumps.

Bulk Water Supplies

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

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.

Response – Ships alongside

Operational marine incidents are attended by the Service's specially trained marine response stations across the four regions. 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

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.

The vehicle and facilities are mobilised upon request at any time by the incident commander. This can 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

The 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 Fire and Emergency Support Service (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

The Rapid Intervention Vehicle can be crewed by 2 to 4 firefighters and offers an alternative and flexible response to incidents. It has water delivery capability and the facility for limited equipment stowage.

The Service has 4x4 vehicles with towing capability allowing responders to deliver specialist equipment to the incident ground.

Bulk Fuel Supplies

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.