A fire motorcycle in the Tokyo Fire Museum, Japan.
The Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service Honda ST1300 fire alarm response motorcycle.
The Triumph Sprint ST 1050 fire bike of the West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.

A fire motorcycle is a specialist motorcycle modified for use by a fire brigade or fire department. Several countries around the world use fire vehicles based on a motorcycle, often for rapid intervention to beat traffic congestion. The equipment carried ranges from simple extinguishers to jet guns with hose rigs. Firefighters may also use fire motorcycles to offer medical first aid treatment.[1] In the United Kingdom, fire motorcycles are used by some fire services for road safety awareness campaigns.[2][3]

Fire motorcycles were first used in Germany.[4] In the 1930s in Russia, a fire pump was installed in the attached sidecar of a motorcycle.[4] Fire motorcycles were historically used in the United Kingdom by the Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS), known models include the Matchless G3L, and were often used to provide an escort for the Green Goddess fire engines during the 1960s, a pristine surviving example now used for public relations events by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service.[5]

Worldwide users

Fire motorcycles are used around the world.

Australia

The New South Wales Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) uses motorcycles during wildfire operations to conduct rapid response to lightning strikes for dry fire fighting, Remote Area Firefighting Team (RAFT) operations, fire trail inspections, assessment of forward containment lines, and to act as a visual deterrent in areas of suspected serial arson in bush land. In addition to firefighting, these motorcycles are employed to assist the State Emergency Service and New South Wales Police Force in search and rescue operations throughout the state. They are commonly equipped with basic first aid kits, chainsaws, and fire extinguishers.[6]

A São Paulo Fire Department motorcycle.

Brazil

The São Paulo Fire Department of Brazil use teams of two fire motorcycles to reduce first response times to fire or medical emergencies in the congested streets of São Paulo from twelve-to-fifteen minutes for conventional fire vehicles, to just five minutes. Their motorcycles are 400 cc (24 cu in) machines, and carry basic emergency medical services (EMS) equipment, tools, signalling devices, and other accessories, such as torches and elevator keys.[7]

Brunei

Fire motorcycles are used in Brunei Darussalam by their Fire and Rescue Department; they include the Yamaha FZ6 Fazer S2 and Suzuki GS300E.[8][9]

China

Beijing introduced fire motorcycle operations for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in 2014.[4][10] China manufacture and use fire vehicles ranging from two-wheeled motorcycles (including off-road versions), four-wheeled open quad bikes, and four-wheeled quad-based covered all-terrain vehicles,[1] along with heavy goods vehicle-based conventional fire vehicles.

Hong Kong

Fire motorcycles are used in Hong Kong.[11] According to the Hong Kong Fire Services Department's website, "Fire Motorcycles (F.M.C.) are special fire appliances developed by Firexpress A/S in Denmark to provide rapid response and to carry out fire fighting operation". They are using BMW R1100RT as their fire motorcycles.

Denmark

Fire motorcycles have been used in Denmark.[11]

Germany

Some municipal fire departments in Germany (Feuerwehr) use motorcycles for reconnaissance, courier duties, and traffic control. Models include the BMW R1150RT (70 kilowatts; 94 brake horsepower (95 metric horsepower)), the BMW F650GS, and the Yamaha TW125 (9 kilowatts (12 metric horsepower; 12 brake horsepower)).[12][13] However, motorbikes are not part of the national Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN) standards for fire apparatus;[14] if their purchase by a municipal department will be subsidised with state funds depends on local laws.

Greece

Fire motorcycles are used in Greece.[4]

Honda fire motorcycles in service with Tehran Fire Department.

Iran

Iran National Fire Department uses two models of Honda motorcycle (CBX750 and CMX250C) in Tehran, and some models of Hyosung motorcycles in other metropolises of Iran.

Italy

Fire motorcycles are used in Italy.[11]

Ichikawa Fire Department Ambulance / Fire Honda XR motorcycle.

Japan

In Japan, the Tokyo Fire Department uses pairs of motorcycle units nicknamed 'Quick Attackers' for fire-fighting, rescue, and medical first aid treatment. The units comprise two different types of 200 cc (12 cu in) motorcycles operating in an off-road capable environment: a type 'T' unit is equipped with a portable impulse fire extinguishing system, while a type 'U' unit carries simple rescue equipment and fire extinguishers. As of 2001, twenty Quick Attacker teams were in service. With Japan having a long history of earthquakes, Quick Attacker units are capable of off-road response, and are also used for rapid fact-finding in earthquake and other disaster zones.[7]

Kazakhstan

The first four 'Jawa' fire motorcycles in Almaty were presented in November 2016. They are Jawa 660 cc (40 cu in) single cylinder motorcycles which produce 48 horsepower (36 kilowatts; 49 metric horsepower) and weigh 198 kilograms (437 pounds), and are capable of reaching 170 kilometres per hour (110 miles per hour).[4]

Malaysia

The Royal Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department and the Royal Malaysian Civil Defence Force in order to combat increasing traffic congestion which delays ordinary fire appliances, with response time being a critical factor in preventing the spread of fires in the high-rise residential blocks. The force operates three-man fire motorcycle teams manned by junior officers. They are usually the first to arrive at the scene of a fire or an incident, and if necessary, will enter a premises to fight or prevent the spread of a fire. The riders are equipped with impulse guns, which can fire powerful bursts of water mist at speeds of up to 200 metres per second (660 feet per second).

Nepal

Fire motorcycles modified with 75-kilogram (165-pound) fire extinguishers and emergency siren are in use in Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. They are able to reach "every nooks and corners of the city, even up to the doorsteps of the houses that catch fire", and are in part funded by a 'fire tax' levied by Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC).[15]

Russia

Fire motorcycles have been used in Russia.[4]

Singapore

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) introduced fire motorcycles in 1998, in order to combat increasing traffic congestion which delays conventional fire appliances, with response time being a critical factor in preventing the spread of fires in the high-rise residential blocks of the urban island city state.[16] The force operates two-man fire motorcycle teams manned by junior officers. They are usually the first to arrive at the scene of a fire, and if necessary, will enter a premises (with force if necessary) to fight or prevent the spread of a fire.[17] The riders are equipped with impulse guns, which can fire powerful bursts of water mist at speeds of up to 200 metres per second (660 feet per second).[16] The motorcycle model used in the force is the Honda CB400 Spec 3.

Sweden

Fire motorcycles were previously used in Sweden, but they are no longer in current use.[11]

Turkey

Fire motorcycles are used in Turkey.[4][11]

Taiwan

Fire motorcycles are used for tunnel fires in Taiwan.

United Arab Emirates

Fire motorcycles are used in the United Arab Emirates.[4]

United Kingdom

The Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service quad bike

In the United Kingdom, the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service has operated a number of fire motorcycles in different roles since 2005. In July 2010, they became the first fire service in the UK to deploy fire motorcycles specially equipped to fight fires.[11][18][19] The two BMW R1200RT trial bikes are fitted with two 25-litre (5.5-imperial-gallon; 6.6-US-gallon) canisters filled with water and foam and a high powered 30-metre (100-foot) long jet hose. They are to be used to combat small fires, and to free up main fire appliances.[11][18][19] They were to undergo a six-month trial, with the prospect of being adopted by other forces if found to be effective.[11] Since 2005, Merseyside had been using a fire motorcycle to attend automated fire alarm calls in Liverpool to assess situations ahead of the arrival of main appliances, due to rising traffic congestion, and because most of these automated calls are false alarms.[20] In 2007, Merseyside also introduced two Honda quad-bikes for fire safety awareness campaigns, and possibly for operational use to fight woodland or grass fires.[21]

A number of other UK fire services also operate fire motorcycles; not to fight fires or aid fire response times, but instead to promote safe motorcycle riding.[2][3] Motorcycles are operated in this role by the fire services of Devon and Somerset,[3] East Sussex,[22] West Sussex,[23] North Wales,[24] Kent,[25][26] and Northumberland.[27][28] The Northumberland fire motorcycle was later fitted with an external automatic defibrillator and trauma care kit allowing it to also be used as a response vehicle for road traffic accidents.[29]

United States of America

Fire motorcycles are very uncommon in the United States of America. The Daytona Beach Fire Department has had a Motor Medic team in continuous operation since 1994.[30] In September 2012, the Los Angeles City Fire Department started a trial run studying the use of a motorcycle response team for brush fires, and to aid during times of heavy congestion.[31] Other areas in the US, including Miami-Dade, New York, Seattle, Lansing, Michigan, have explored the use of alternative vehicles for EMS response, specifically bicycles, quad bikes, and electric carts.[7]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Fire fighting motorcycle vs. traditional fire engine". XuxinSafety.com. Chengdu, Sichuan Province: Sichuan Xuxin Technology Co., Ltd. n.d. Archived from the original on 7 July 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  2. 1 2 "Biker Down – Motorcycle Safety Week 2023". NationalFireChiefs.org.uk. London, England: National Fire Chiefs Council Limited. n.d. Archived from the original on 3 April 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  3. 1 2 3 "Motorcycle safety". DSFire.gov.uk. Exeter, England: Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service. n.d. Archived from the original on 28 March 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Ближе к зиме пожарные получили мотоциклы – Акимат Алматы вручил пожарным ключи от сделанных по специальному заказу пожарно-спасательных мотоциклов "ЯВА-660"" [Closer to winter, firefighters received motorcycles – Akimat of Almaty handed over to firefighters the keys to fire and rescue motorcycles 'JAWA-660' made by special order]. Motor.kz (in Russian). ТОО MOTOR KZ. 7 November 2016. Archived from the original on 9 November 2016.
  5. ↑ "Vintage Cheshire Fire motorcycle gets a visitor from Cornwall". CheshireFire.gov.uk. Cheshire, England: Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service. 22 May 2023. Archived from the original on 28 May 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  6. ↑ Deano (25 January 2017). "NSW RFS trail bikes used in land search". Flashover.com.au. Flashover – Australia's firefighting website. Archived from the original on 31 October 2019. Retrieved 21 March 2018.
  7. 1 2 3 Evans, Dave, ed. (Summer 2001). "Motorcycles get you there faster". Fire.gov newsletter. National Institute of Standards and Technology and Federal Emergency Management Agency. p. 4. Archived from the original on 27 May 2010. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  8. ↑ "Yamaha FZ6 Fazer S2 fire motorcycle". Fire-Engine-Photos.com. Brunei Darussalam: Fire Engines Photos. 24 February 2010. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  9. ↑ "Suzuki GS300E fire motorcycle". Fire-Engine-Photos.com. Brunei Darussalam: Fire Engines Photos. 23 February 2009. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  10. ↑ 王梦如 (3 November 2014). "New fire motorcycles introduced for APEC". China.org.cn. China Internet Information Centre. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Roberts, Laura (23 July 2010). "Firefighters to use motorbikes fitted with hoses for the first time". The Daily Telegraph. London, England. Archived from the original on 25 July 2010. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  12. ↑ "Kradstaffel" [Squadron]. Feuerwehr-Sendling.de (in German). FF München – Abteilung Sendling (Volunteer Fire Department Munich-Sendling).
  13. ↑ "Krad" [Motorbike]. FF-Neustadt-Dosse.de (in German). Volunteer Fire Department Neustadt-Dosse. Archived from the original on 5 January 2018.
  14. ↑ "DIN: Fire apparatus type list, revision 04/2018" (PDF). DIN.de (in German). Deutsches Institut für Normung. April 2018.
  15. ↑ Poudel, Arjun (9 February 2014). "'Fire bikes' to be pushed into action in Kathmandu". My Republica. Nepal Republic Media Pvt. Ltd. Archived from the original on 9 April 2014. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
  16. 1 2 "Fire Vehicles: Fire Bike". internet-stg.SCDF.gov.sg. Singapore Civil Defence Force, Government of Singapore. 3 January 2007. Archived from the original on 17 July 2007. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  17. ↑ "Civil Defence – Fire Safety (Amendment) Act". MHA.gov.sg. Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of Singapore. 16 June 2007. Archived from the original on 25 July 2011. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  18. 1 2 "Motorbike pilot scheme for Merseyside firefighters". BBC News, British Broadcasting Corporation. 23 July 2010. Archived from the original on 27 July 2010. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  19. 1 2 "New fire bikes are a first for UK". MerseyFire.gov.uk (Press release). Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service. 23 July 2010. Archived from the original on 8 August 2010. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  20. ↑ "Firefighter is to get on his bike". BBC News. 23 June 2005. Archived from the original on 15 March 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  21. ↑ "Quad squad joins fire fleet". MerseyFire.gov.uk. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service. 19 October 2007. Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  22. ↑ "ESFRS FireBike page". ESFRS.org. East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service. n.d. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  23. ↑ "Drive to reduce motorbike accidents". WSCountyTimes.co.uk. West Sussex County Times, Johnston Press. 17 April 2009. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  24. ↑ "Operation Focus". Heddlu-Gogledd-Cymru.Police.uk. North Wales Police. n.d. Archived from the original on 23 July 2010. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  25. ↑ "Fire bike delivers road safety message". Medway.gov.uk. Medway Community Safety Partnership. 5 January 2010. Archived from the original on 27 August 2011. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  26. ↑ "Your safety > Safety campaigns > Fire Bike > The Fire Bike Pitstop project". Kent.Fire-uk.org. Kent Fire and Rescue Service. n.d. Archived from the original on 8 June 2010. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  27. ↑ "Safety first on a bike". TheFreeLibrary.com. The Evening Chronicle, ncjMedia. 4 July 2007. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  28. ↑ "Two-wheeled addition to rescue service". Berwick-Advertiser.co.uk. The Berwick Advertiser, Johnstone Press. 8 February 2007. Archived from the original on 20 April 2013. Retrieved 23 July 2010.
  29. ↑ "Northumberland's lifesaving firebike". Morpeth Herald, Johnstone Press. 15 July 2008. Retrieved 23 July 2010 – via Find Articles.
  30. ↑ "Motor Medic Team | Daytona Beach, FL - Official Website".
  31. ↑ "Los Angeles firefighters test motorcycle response unit". Los Angeles Times. 24 September 2012.

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