Fire Brigade response motor bikes

[McColm]

Here in the UK the Police and Ambulance services use motor bikes, but I've not seen the Fire Brigade use them. The Sub-Officer could turn up to the incident ahead of the tenders and pump vehicles, assess the situation and relay info on route or to the incident room/base.
I'm no biker, never been on one or had a ride on one. I'm not suggesting that they carry any ladders or bulky equipment, but to arrive on the scene and take any details or information.
We used to build bikes, not too sure if Triumph still make them and I know that BMW supply the Police with theirs.
I'll have a search on eBay for a suitable Harley or Honda kit.

[Cobra]

Like the Idea you may also want to Consider something like a 3 Wheeler for Fast Response/Scout duty in Areas where Off Road might be More Useful! Dan

[Weaver]

The old Triumph company went bust in the late 1970s but the name was bought by a businessman called John Bloor who launched a completely new company in the early 1990s. Against all expectations, it's flourished and is now a major producer.

http://www.triumphmotorcycles.co.uk/

BMW do indeed supply a lot of Police bikes, but they havn't got the same stranglehold on the market that they used to have, with Honda Pan Europeans and Yamaha FJR1300s being quote commonly seen in police colours these days. The police contracts can be a bit of a poisoned challice, because the Police load them up with non-manufacturer approved gear, crash them, and then try to sue the manufacturers for them being unstable, the reason being that (so I'm told) the rider in question will get more from the Police compensation scheme if the crash can be blamed on the bike manufacturer than on the rider of the Police Service themselves...

As regards a fire service bike, it really depends on whether getting an officer to the scene a bit sooner, but him not being able to actually do anything, adds value or not. In the case of paramedics, they can carry enough gear to make a difference and the sooner you can get started inside the "golder hour" the better the outcomes.

[tigercat]

You could have a motorcycle and sidecar with the side car being a foam tank

[Hobbes]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorcycles_in_the_United_Kingdom_fire_services

I remember a news item recently about a compact firefighting system that fires water 'bullets' under huge pressure - high enough to penetrate walls. That would be useful. Also, many fire services over here have cars for first response, command duties etc. Having someone on the scene fast is valuable, they can assess the situation and give a more accurate estimate of how many/what type of fire trucks are needed.

[McColm]

Thanks,
It must be that London doesn't use them. I can remember seeing a trike on the TV show 'CHIPS', but in the City of London this would be too wide. This has given me an idea for a 'London black Cab' fire truck.

[Hobbes]

Firefighting systems for motorbikes:
http://www.ifexuk.com/mmu.htm

[Cliffy B]

I could see forest fire teams using dirt bikes and/or ATVs.