Airport operator HIAL has launched the first of 20 new state of the art fire tenders
following a multi-
Benbecula and Stornoway airports have each received two new fire tenders in the first phase of a £7 million roll out of new high tech fire appliances.
The new fleet has been purpose built to HIAL’s technical specifications, ensuring they meet the diverse needs of the group’s 11 airports, which include a mix of island, coastal and city airports.
Following a competitive tender process, ITURRI Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of rescue and fire fighting vehicles, was commissioned to build the new appliances, which will include a mix of 4x4 and 6x6 vehicles.
Allana Beaton unveils the name of one of the fire engines
New fire tenders go into action at island airports
18 November 2014
As well as offering greater reliability, the new vehicles will also conform to the latest EU emission standards, and are expected to have a life expectancy of 20 years.
Two of the new 4x4 tenders were officially launched today by children from Balivanich Primary in Benbecula who took part in a competition to name the appliances.
They have have been named St Kilda and Eaval by Allana Beaton and Megan Mackay, both Primary 7 pupils at Balivanich Primary School. They were among several pupils who took a behind the scenes tour of the airport with the airport fire service to mark the launch.
Inglis Lyon of HIAL said: “The HIAL airport fire service is one of the biggest in the UK, serving 11 airports across Scotland. It is essential that our professional team of fire fighters have access to the latest technology and the most up to date equipment.
“This investment over five years will ensure that they are even better equipped to tackle emergency situations, if and when they occur.”
George Farquhar, chief fire officer at HIAL said: “HIAL’s airports are among the most diverse in Scotland with a unique mix of coastal locations and city airports, fixed wing and helicopter traffic and Search and Rescue and Air Ambulance operations. We have worked with ITURRI to design and build a range of fire tenders that reflect the diverse nature of our operations.”