Our History

North Weald Fire Rescue (Volunteers) is a non-profit making group that provides aviation fire cover to users of North Weald airfield. The group was formed in 1987 by two close supporters of the airfield who purchased the first and subsequent group vehicles. They were, and still are, the group’s main financiers.

North Weald is an unlicensed airfield owned and operated by Epping Forest District Council. It is used primarily for light aviation having a resident population of 100+ aircraft. These include ex military jets, vintage light aeroplanes and icons such as the Kittyhawk, Mustang, Seafire and Spitfire. Being a famous WW2 airfield, still with an intact 6000’ asphalt runway, it can be extremely busy with large numbers of visiting aircraft especially during the summer months. The group has always worked closely with the “Squadron” regularly providing fire cover for their Fly In’s. As well as the aviation related activities a number of other events take place during the year such as drag racing, the Wings and Wheels show, corporate events and cycle racing. In addition a number of warehousing, driver training and shipping companies operate from the airfield along with the largest Saturday market in the UK.

Over the years the majority of volunteers have been serving or recently retired local authority firefighters both full time and retained. Most have come from the local county fire services of Essex, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire. The remainder all have emergency service or military backgrounds though this is not a pre requisite to membership.

All crew members are trained to Civil Aviation Authority Low Category Airfield Standards for fire service personnel, the training being carried out at North Weald by qualified members of the group. As skills and qualifications have increased over the years we have been able to attend other venues such as air shows and commercial events. North Weald Fire Rescue are members of the British Fires Services Association and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations.

Financing the group and accommodating the vehicles has always been a major problem, two members having spent in the region of £30,000 since 1990. In recent years we have received some small grants from North Weald Parish Council and donations from the Airfield Users Group, The Squadron and a private benefactor.

All of the funds raised go towards the maintenance of the vehicles and the purchase of fire fighting and personal protective equipment. Annual expenditure is normally in the region of £5 – 6000, which always outstrips our income.

Our vehicles are designed to be kept under cover so that they are in a state of immediate readiness. One is housed in the bay of the old fire station which we have to rent from the council, the others were in a hangar which has now been rented out meaning that both will have to be out in the open where they will now rapidly deteriorate.

We have attended all the major aviation events at North Weald for the past 21 years, fortunately there have only been a few incidents in this time. We are always ready to work with the council and are looking at the possibility of setting up a full time fire service in the near future.

BEDFORD/PYRENE MARK 8 CRASH TRUCK WHJ 285M.

This was a Bedford / Pyrene Mark 8 Crash truck RAF registration 28AG25 re registered as WHJ285M. It was originally built as a 3 ton 4 wheel drive truck for the Ministry of Supply around 1960 – 67. Forty eight of these trucks were withdrawn from storage in 1974 and converted into Bedford / Pyrene Mark 8 Crash trucks as a stop gap for the Harrier force until introduction of the Range Rover based TACR2.

The engine and drive train were standard Bedford RL with a Weber twin carburettor added in the forlorn hope of increasing the power output of the Bedford engine. Ironically the fire pump and associated equipment in the rear compartment was powered by a Jaguar 4.2 litre 6 cylinder engine as fitted to E type Jaguars and the Scorpion light tank. This engine powered a drive belt system that in turn drove a large air blower and the 500 gallon per minute fire pump, allowing thick heavy foam to be blown onto an aircraft fire.

This vehicle has some interesting and alarming characteristics, which take some getting used to. Ordinary Range Rovers had a lot of body roll due to the design of the suspension. RAF drivers regularly rolled TACR2’s as of course an additional tonne of water over the back axles radically changes the centre of gravity

With funds desperately needed for the refurbishment of the Mark 10 the vehicle was sold in March 2001 to Texel Airport in the Netherlands.

This vehicle spent most of its service at the Army Air Corps airfield at Middle Wallop in Hampshire. It also saw service in Bosnia and was being prepared for use in Kosovo. Whilst awaiting shipment from Marchwood damage was discovered to the pipework after freezing weather as a result of water being left in the vehicle. Consequently it was sent for disposal.

This is one of our three operational vehicles.

SCAMMELL MARK 10B CRASH TRUCK D486 YNO

The fourth vehicle was purchased from the MOD auctions at Blackbushe in September 2000, Scammell Mk 10B Crash Truck 04AY50 re registered as D486YNO. This type of vehicle entered service in the mid eighties at RAF and RN airfields powered by a Cummins VT 903 14.5 litre turbo charged diesel engine with an automatic gearbox. Foam or water is discharged from the roof mounted monitor or hand held sidelines. Fully laden the vehicle weighs approximately 16.5 tons. This vehicle is known to have been used at RAF St Athan and the Defence Fire Service Training School at Manston for driver training. It is currently awaiting a major rebuild when time, finances and accommodation allow.

Considerable planning both financial and operational has preceded the purchase of all our vehicles over the years. When seen at Blackbushe this vehicle was considered to be too good an opportunity to miss so an offer outside of the auction system was made, much to the delight of two bank managers and us, the MOD accepted the offer. It was disposed of via RAF Odiham after returning from Bosnia where it provided in theatre fire cover to the British Support Helicopter force.

Our second of three operational vehicles.

Breathing apparatus and light rescue equipment is also carried on this appliance. Although big powerful and fast it is also the most costly vehicle to own and operate.

This is our third operational vehicle.