‘Cool’ idea to help fire crews recover

Sep 6 2007 by Alan Weston, Liverpool Daily Post

MERSEYSIDE Fire Service is to be the first in the country to pilot a new “cool van” to help firefighters recover at the scene of major incidents.

The distinctive blue-coloured van will contain a variety of emergency first-aid and medical equipment, along with supplies of food and water, spare clothing, and a portable shelter which can accommodate 20 people.

Victims of fires will also be able to use the facilities on board.

The idea followed a visit to the United States by Merseyside’s chief fire officer, Tony McGuirk, where such “cool vans” are in common use.

A Fire Service spokesman said last night: “The van can be used to help firefighters who have been working in arduous conditions, such as heat and smoke.

“It is aimed at helping those who are helping other people, although it can also be used to help those rescued from fires.

“It is one of a number of ways we are trying to make it possible for firefighters to work longer and safer.”

The “cool van” is part of a wider strategy being developed by the Fire and Rescue Service on the most effective way of tackling fires in the increasing number of high-rise buildings now appearing in Liverpool.

Live tests of firefighters’ hand-held communications equipment have already taken place in Liverpool’s tallest building, Beetham’s 40-storey, 459ft-high West Tower.

Chief fire officers are urging extra safety features are built in to new blocks, such as a dedicated lifts for firefighters.

A joint study by MFRS and Liverpool John Moores University is now under way into the physiological effects on firefighters of incidents, particularly in high-rise towers.

The deputy chief fire officer Mike Hagen said: “The inherent features of high-rise buildings can generate arduous working conditions which will create high physiological demands upon firefighters. Evidence suggests there is limited information available to Incident Commanders on whether a task might exceed firefighters’ physiological limits.”

alanweston