A new fleet of Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicles were delivered to RAF Brize Norton to replace the ageing fleet, and today 1st April 2021, the new fleet took up it's role. Both variants are a huge improvement on the existing legacy fleet and their delivery represents a real and tangible benefit to Defence, with more than double the fire-fighting media, coupled with the advanced delivery systems.
Not since the historic days of 1919, with the introduction of specially adapted vehicles for airfield firefighting, and years later in 1943 with the forming of the Royal Air Force Fire and Rescue Service, has the organisation undergone such a period of positive transformation. In 2021 Royal Air Force Brize Norton is leading the way to affect and implement that change.
Weighing in at an impressive 42000kg, or the equivalent weight of 7 Bull elephants (or 4 Tyrannosaurus Rex’s!) is the Oshkosh Striker airfield rescue and firefighting (ARFF) vehicle. The Oshkosh striker is set to replace the Major Foam Vehicle (MFV), and the MPRV will replace the smaller Rapid Intervention Vehicle (RIV). One of the most impressive new features, is the extendable water/foam/dry powder delivery system called a High Reach Extendable Turret (HRET). Additionally, the turret has an aircraft skin-penetrating nozzle (ASPN), this allows our Firefighters to introduce a sprinkler system into the aircraft prior to breathing apparatus teams entering the aircraft to carry out rescue operations. These innovative approaches to firefighting will increase effectiveness, intervention and ultimately create survivable conditions sooner, reducing risk to personnel.
RAF Brize Norton boasts the largest Fire Section in the Royal Air Force, and our Firefighters are on immediate standby, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Equipped and ready to respond to any emergency incident, not only to airfield and structural assets within the 481-hectare estate, but also outside the wire within the local community should the need arise.
The new vehicle fleet means not only a new era for TG7 Firefighters, but also highlights that RAF Brize Norton will continue to be the exemplar of Defence Fire Service delivery and a next generation Air Mobility base.
