One of Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service's four-wheel drive Unimog fire engines is pictured. Click here for a picture of two of the four-wheel drive utility vehicles - double-cab Mitsubishi L200 2.5Ds with Truckman tops.

22 December 2009

Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service has been working through the night with emergency services and local authorities to help maintain essential services.

Following a teleconference meeting of Thames Valley Strategic Co-ordinating Group last night, two of Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service's four-wheel drive utility vehicles were provided, with drivers, to transport paramedics from South Central Ambulance Service to life-risk incidents. These have been used throughout the night.

Firefighters from Beaconsfield helped transport a casualty with a suspected broken leg and internal injuries from Beaconsfield to Wexham Park Hospital in Slough.

A number of fire stations were made available to local authorities in the event of additional emergency rest centres being needed.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Roy Harold said: "All three of our four-wheel drive Unimog fire engines have been deployed in the south of the county, and have been crewed continuously overnight. Officer cover has been maintained by use of four-wheel drive utility vehicles.

"Staff have demonstrated their characteristic resilience, adaptability and flexibility, staying on duty to keep vehicles available and supporting other services.

"Conditions are currently improving, but there is the potential for further freezing conditions later today."

He renewed the plea for callers to ring 999 for police, fire and ambulance services in genuine emergency situations only.