Fire bike
Encyclopedia
A fire bike is a motorcycle
used by a fire department
. Several countries around the world use fire bikes, often to beat traffic congestion
, and the equipment carried ranges from simple extinguishers to jet guns with hose rigs. Firefighter
s can also use fire bikes to offer medical treatment, and in the United Kingdom, fire bikes are used by some fire services in road safety awareness campaigns.
use teams of two fire bikes to bring down first response times to fire or medical emergencies in the congested streets of São Paulo
from 10–15 minutes to just 5 minutes. Their bikes are 400cc machines, and carry basic emergency medical services
(EMS) equipment, tools, signalling devices, and other accessories, such as hand lights and elevator keys.
According to the Hong Kong Fire Services Department's website, "Fire Motorcycles (F.M.C.) are special fire appliances developed by Firexpress ApS in Denmark to provide rapid response and to carry out fire fighting operation". They are using BMW
R1100RT as their fire bikes.
uses pairs of motorcycle units nicknamed "Quick Attackers" for fire-fighting, rescue and medical first aid treatment. The units comprise two 200cc bikes operating - 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, 20 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.
introduced fire bikes in 1998, 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 of the urban island state. The force operates two man fire bike 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 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.
has operated a number of fire bikes in different roles since 2005. In July 2010 they became the first service in the UK to deploy fire bikes specially equipped to fight fires. The two BMW R1200RT
trial bikes are fitted with two 25 litre canisters filled with water and foam and a high powered 30 metres (98.4 ft) long jet hose. They are to be used to combat small fires to free up main fire appliances. They are to undergo a six-month trial, with the prospect of being adopted by other forces if found to be effective. Since 2005, Merseyside had been using a fire bike 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. 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.
A number of UK fire services also operate fire bikes not to fight fires or aid fire response times, but instead to promote safe motorcycle riding. Bikes are operated in this role by the fire services of West Sussex, North Wales
, Kent
and Northumberland
. The Northumberland fire bike 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.
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
used by a fire department
Fire department
A fire department or fire brigade is a public or private organization that provides fire protection for a certain jurisdiction, which typically is a municipality, county, or fire protection district...
. Several countries around the world use fire bikes, often to beat traffic congestion
Traffic congestion
Traffic congestion is a condition on road networks that occurs as use increases, and is characterized by slower speeds, longer trip times, and increased vehicular queueing. The most common example is the physical use of roads by vehicles. When traffic demand is great enough that the interaction...
, and the equipment carried ranges from simple extinguishers to jet guns with hose rigs. Firefighter
Firefighter
Firefighters are rescuers extensively trained primarily to put out hazardous fires that threaten civilian populations and property, to rescue people from car incidents, collapsed and burning buildings and other such situations...
s can also use fire bikes to offer medical treatment, and in the United Kingdom, fire bikes are used by some fire services in road safety awareness campaigns.
Worldwide users
Brazil
The São Paulo Fire Department of BrazilBrazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
use teams of two fire bikes to bring down first response times to fire or medical emergencies in the congested streets of São Paulo
São Paulo
São Paulo is the largest city in Brazil, the largest city in the southern hemisphere and South America, and the world's seventh largest city by population. The metropolis is anchor to the São Paulo metropolitan area, ranked as the second-most populous metropolitan area in the Americas and among...
from 10–15 minutes to just 5 minutes. Their bikes are 400cc machines, and carry basic emergency medical services
Emergency medical services
Emergency medical services are a type of emergency service dedicated to providing out-of-hospital acute medical care and/or transport to definitive care, to patients with illnesses and injuries which the patient, or the medical practitioner, believes constitutes a medical emergency...
(EMS) equipment, tools, signalling devices, and other accessories, such as hand lights and elevator keys.
Hong Kong
Fire bikes are used in Hong Kong.According to the Hong Kong Fire Services Department's website, "Fire Motorcycles (F.M.C.) are special fire appliances developed by Firexpress ApS in Denmark to provide rapid response and to carry out fire fighting operation". They are using BMW
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
R1100RT as their fire bikes.
Japan
In Japan, the Tokyo Fire DepartmentTokyo Fire Department
The is a fire department headquartered in Ōtemachi, Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. The TFD was formed on March 7, 1948 and is responsible for protecting the Tokyo Metropolis Area. The Fire Department is the largest urban fire department in the world. Providing services to the 23 Wards of Tokyo and parts...
uses pairs of motorcycle units nicknamed "Quick Attackers" for fire-fighting, rescue and medical first aid treatment. The units comprise two 200cc bikes operating - 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, 20 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.
Singapore
The Singapore Civil Defence ForceSingapore Civil Defence Force
The Singapore Civil Defence Force is the main agency in charge of the provision of emergency services in Singapore during peacetime and emergency.A uniformed organisation under the purview of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the main role of SCDF is to provide...
introduced fire bikes in 1998, 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 of the urban island state. The force operates two man fire bike 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 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.
United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom, the Merseyside Fire and Rescue ServiceMerseyside Fire and Rescue Service
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service is the statutory fire and rescue service covering the county of Merseyside in north-west England and is the statutory firefighting and rescue service responsible for all 999 fire brigade calls in Sefton, Knowsley, St. Helens, Liverpool and Wirral.-History:The fire...
has operated a number of fire bikes in different roles since 2005. In July 2010 they became the first service in the UK to deploy fire bikes specially equipped to fight fires. The two BMW R1200RT
BMW r1200rt
The BMW R1200RT is a touring motorcycle that was introduced in 2005 by BMW Motorrad to replace the R1150RT model. It features a flat-twin engine with a six-speed gearbox and shaft drive.-Previous RT models, 1970s to 2004:...
trial bikes are fitted with two 25 litre canisters filled with water and foam and a high powered 30 metres (98.4 ft) long jet hose. They are to be used to combat small fires to free up main fire appliances. They are to undergo a six-month trial, with the prospect of being adopted by other forces if found to be effective. Since 2005, Merseyside had been using a fire bike to attend automated fire alarm calls in Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
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. 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.
A number of UK fire services also operate fire bikes not to fight fires or aid fire response times, but instead to promote safe motorcycle riding. Bikes are operated in this role by the fire services of West Sussex, North Wales
North Wales Fire and Rescue Service
The North Wales Fire and Rescue Service is the fire and rescue service covering the predominantly rural principal areas of Anglesey, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd and Wrexham in the north of Wales....
, Kent
Kent Fire and Rescue Service
Kent Fire and Rescue Service is the statutory fire and rescue service for the county of Kent covering a geographical area south of London, to the coast and including major shipping routes via the Thames and Medway rivers. The total coastline covered is ; it has 67 fire stations, and 4 district fire...
and Northumberland
Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service
Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service is the statutory fire and rescue service which covers the area of Northumberland, England.Fire stations are located in:*Allendale*Alnwick*Amble*Belford*Bellingham*Berwick upon Tweed*Haltwhistle*Haydon Bridge...
. The Northumberland fire bike 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.