Image: Left to Right – BHX Fire & Rescue Watch Manager - Jason Adams , BHX Fire & Rescue Head of Fire and Emergency Planning – Martin Shields, Sonic Sales Director – Marcus Twomlow and Specialist Vehicle Operations (SVO) Installation Manager – Darren Roper
Sonic Communications (Specialist Vehicle Operations – SVO Division) on the successful delivery of two Volvo XC90 Emergency Response Vehicles to BHX Fire and Rescue:
These vehicles have been purchased to replace two existing vehicles which are due for replacement. Service life for these two new vehicles is expected to be between 10-15 years so with this in mind, there were multiple design considerations around how we could plan the installation together, to ensure they met with all of the immediate critical requirements, addressing new technologies whilst maintaining a very concise set of operational parameters. Our proximity to Birmingham Airport was certainly advantageous in terms of planning and face to face design input, together with local provider Servicom, who supplied the radio transceivers for both installations.
Fire 1’s primary role is to provide capability to undertake effective Incident Command and Control at a Forward Control Point, whilst Fire 9 will predominantly support extraneous duties such as response to medical emergencies and provide resilience for Command and Control operations when required. New equipment on both includes, dashcam front and rear, hands free airfield communication push to talk system, internal and external LED lighting, bespoke stowage in the rear for Firefighting PPE and specialist equipment such as thermal image camera and portable lighting.
Marcus Twomlow, Sales Director for Sonic Communications:
“It’s been an absolute pleasure dealing with the team at BHX Fire & Rescue. From the outset of this project, it was imperative that we met with key critical operational requirements to allow the users to carry out their role safely and efficiently. Through listening, understanding, and engaging closely with the team, we have been able to deliver all aspects of the design specification on time and on budget”