FIRE SERVICE’S INCIDENT COMMAND UNIT BEING REPLACED AFTER ALMOST 30 YEARS

The fire service’s Incident Command Unit, which has served the Isle of Wight for the past 28 years, is being replaced. Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service is continuing its investment in the Isle of Wight fleet by replacing the ageing 1996 Mercedes 814D/Saxon vehicle. For almost 30 years, the Incident Command Unit (ICU) – based out of Newport Fire Station – has acted as a contact, reporting and command point at the Island’s largest incidents. It’s first shout is thought to have been a wildfire on St Boniface Down, Ventnor at 17:18 on 9th April 1997. But the time has come to replace it with a brand new, modern vehicle. It was in 2014 that the ICU received a £1million upgrade with new satellite technology, thermal imaging, CCTV and air conditioning. It’s been confirmed that all of the upgraded equipment on board is being stripped out and placed into the new vehicle, reported to be a brand new MAN, which has helped to keep costs down. The new command unit represents a £150,000 investment and will provide crews with state-of-the-art technology, large workstations and an external facing screen to allow crew briefing. It is expected to go ‘on the run’ in the Summer.

The existing Incident Command Unit’s last incident is thought to have been the Parkbury Hotel fire in Sandown back on 17th February. It left the Island for decommissioning on 12th March. A Command Support Vehicle from Basingstoke has been transferred to the Island to act as a temporary Incident Command Unit until the new ICU is ready for service. Ryde and Newport fire stations are due to receive brand new Volvo pumping appliances in the coming months as Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service looks to phase out the Island’s Scania and Mercedes appliances.

Over the years: Incident Command Unit (N477 PDL)