Fire-fighting Vehicles in Preservation

Malcolm Batten explores a photographic history of fire-fighting vehicles through preserved examples.

While there are thousands of preserved commercial vehicles, there can be few that evoke such public excitement as fire-fighting vehicles. The sight of a vintage fire engine parading around the ring at a rally event can be a stirring one, with the crew (often fire-fighters themselves) in period uniforms with brass helmets gleaming and the bell clanging as the vehicle proceeds. Sometimes the crew may demonstrate a turntable ladder being extended to its full height or the hose reels being deployed, although modern Health & Safety rules mean that is unlikely that a demonstration of extinguishing a fire can take place.Fire brigades were established in the nineteenth century, just as mechanised road transport was beginning. Thus, their history can be told through the fire-fighting vehicles that have survived into preservation. This book tells this story. In Britain, these vehicles would all have been British built until recently. However, European and American practices are also featured through vehicles that have visited our shores or have been preserved here.