The four USAR prime movers are pictured outside their new appliance bay in Aylesbury.
2 March 2009
Aylesbury Fire Station almost doubled in size today after becoming the official home of Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team.
USAR forms part of the government’s New Dimension programme, which seeks to enhance the capability of the fire and rescue service to respond to a range of major emergencies.
Aylesbury is now part of a national network of 17 bases for the people, vehicles and equipment needed in the aftermath of major incidents such as collapsed buildings, major transportation incidents, natural disasters and terrorist activity.
Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service’s USAR capability comprises 12 full-time crew members supported by 28 USAR-trained staff. As well as providing cover when on duty, 16 will provide on-call cover when off duty. There are also seven USAR-trained officers, called USAR advisors.
The USAR crews are equipped with four lorries, called prime movers, two personnel carriers and five modules containing specialist equipment. Click here to find out more about the vehicles and equipment.
USAR joins forces with Aylesbury Fire Station’s 48 wholetime firefighters, who work in shifts, 18 on-call firefighters and a pool of 10 staff who operate a canteen van. USAR’s vehicles join the three fire engines, Command and Control Unit, Operational Support Unit and canteen van already based at the station.
The USAR team – first seen in action when it worked with firefighters at the Jurys Inn Hotel scaffold collapse in Milton Keynes in April 2006 – arrived this afternoon from Beaconsfield Fire Station, where it has been based for the past three years.
The decision to relocate was made by Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Fire Authority 18 months ago. After initially favouring a site in Beaconsfield close to the M40, members opted for a more central location after considering current and future population and infrastructure proposals for Aylesbury Vale and Milton Keynes. An assessment of local risks confirmed that crews would be able to get to many emergency incidents more quickly from Aylesbury.
The USAR programme was established following the 9/11 attack on New York in 2001. This marked a turning point in the challenge posed by international terrorism, and prompted the government to review and improve the country’s ability to respond to the increased risks.
Assistant Chief Fire Officer Denis O’Driscoll said: “The relocation of the USAR team is a major new chapter in the history of Aylesbury Fire Station. The USAR training and equipment, coupled with the knowledge, experience, skills and dedication of all our USAR-trained staff, significantly strengthens our robust emergency response provision.
“Although major disasters and terrorist incidents lead to the biggest headlines, there are a range of other emergencies that we must also be prepared for, both nationally and locally.
“As well as being able to cope with a range of unexpected disruptive events, such as building collapses and natural disasters, our USAR team regularly works alongside firefighters to enhance public safety at incidents in Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes. These include road traffic collisions involving large goods vehicles, farm fires and incidents which leave buildings unstable.
Click here for Aylesbury Fire Station's home page.