Story: COLIN DAWSON

Fire service trials Toyota Hilux for rapid response use

West Midlands Fire Service Assistant Chief Phil Loach takes delivery of three Toyota Hilux Invincibles which have been converted into fire trucks

IT takes more than a fleet of familiar red fire tenders for a brigade to run an effective fire and rescue service – especially if your response area covers 350 square miles and includes a population of more than 270 million people.

With such a broad ‘beat’ it’s certain there’ll be the need for a robust off-road vehicle to allow crews and equipment to access difficult areas.

To this end, The West Midlands Fire Service has chosen to put the Toyota Hilux Invincible 4×4 pick-up to the test as part of a review of its fleet of Brigade response vehicles. It picked the Hilux Invincible after conducting a thorough evaluation of the most suitable vehicles best equipped to the rigorous demands of the fire and rescue service and compliant with BSEN1846 standards.

The pilot tests will include three Toyota Hilux Invincibles, with the potential to add further vehicles, depending on a successful outcome. All will be deployed throughout the Brigade’s region as rapid-response vehicles.

West Midlands Fire Service fleet manager Chris Beebee told Business Vans: “The Service is constantly striving to make financial savings combined with improving operational flexibility. The trial of the Toyota Hilux Invincible is supporting these objectives, with it becoming the vehicle of choice after a thorough review of comparable vehicles.

“Its flexibility, combined with its class-leading ‘gross’ carrying capacity, low fuel consumption and low CO2 emissions means the West Midlands Fire Service is anticipating financial and operational benefits underpinned by Toyota’s superb green credentials.”

If your business van or pick-up requirements are for a 4×4 with creditable off-road performance and rugged reliability, then you should test drive a Toyota Hilux.

Keep up to date with developments in our Business Van News section.

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