Mercedes-Benz Unimog Brings Versatility, Mobility To Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service
The Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service has responded to an increasing number of wildfires and flash floods in recent years, so the authority was in the market for a vehicle that could better respond to those unique challenges and other rescue situations. The Mercedes-Benz Unimog U5023 provided an ideal solution, combining its off-road capability with a Palfinger crane and the ability to transport and lift one of four mission-specific pods during rescues. These specialist equipment pods are equipped with gear and supplies for disaster response, flood response, line rescue, or wildfire response. The new Unimog can also serve as a mobile command unit.
Why Choose The Unimog?
“The Mercedes-Benz Unimog was the obvious chassis on which to base this new and highly specialised appliance,” says Mark Salter, group manager—assets team at Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service. “Given some of the rough terrain here in Cornwall, exceptional off-road performance was an absolute must. No other vehicle with a similar carrying capacity can match the Unimog’s go-anywhere aptitude.”
The 4x4 chassis’ maximum permissible gross weight of 14.5 tonnes (16 U.S. tons) was a key feature for Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service, as it allows allowing the Unimog to carry a pod with a 1,000-litre (264-gallon) water tank and other heavy gear. The truck also boasts an upgraded fording depth of 1,200 millimetres (31.5 inches), which comes in handy for water rescue scenarios. (The standard Unimog fording depth is 800 mm (31.5 in.).) The U5023 is equipped with a 5.1-litre, 230-horsepower (170-kilowatt) engine that generates 900 newton-metres (664 pounds-foot) of torque to power over tough terrain.
This Unimog Can Deal With Any Challenge
The extreme off-road capabilities of the Unimog are enhanced by the Mercedes-Benz TireControl Plus central tyre inflation system, which lets drivers reduce tyre pressure from the cab to increase the truck’s off-road traction and then re-inflate the tyres before moving back onto a hard surface for improved safety and fuel efficiency.
Cornwall Fire & Rescue’s four mission pods help its crews deal with the most challenging incidents. For instance, the line rescue pod includes a bipod and Tirfor winches to recover animals or people that have fallen down cliffs or old mineshafts. The wildfire response pod includes bush cutters for creating fire breaks, misting leaf blowers, and a nebular misting system to enhance the fire-quenching from the 1000-L water tank.
“From the very early stages of specification and issue of the tender documents this has been a complex and demanding project, so to take delivery of the finished vehicle is extremely exciting,” says Salter.
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Source: Mercedes-Benz