Grahams Fire Page West Yorkshire Fire Service on the World Stage

I was in Cleckheaton yesterday, And was surprised to see an 'Old friend' - Volvo J789 GJX sail past!

I didn't know this machine was privately owned, Or is maybe owned by a local enthusiast?

She was still in full WY colours, And also still had the ladders on!!

I didn't have my camera with me - typical!!

Has anyone else seen J789 about, Or any other 'Oldies'?

Best Regards.

Mark Elliott.

I've just noticed the small photo of the ERF pump (RHS of the main page). This was a very interesting appliance that I came across whilst at Pudsey in 1982. Powered by a Cummins V8 diesel through an Allison Autobox, it was a good appliance.....while it was on the run.

And there's the main point...'while it was on the run'. I've never known a pump have so much downtime in all my life! The main cause was the sophisticated Waterous pump. This was a midships mounted 1200gpm pump with 8 deliveries (4 each side). Each delivery could be set to supply water at different pressures to the others, plus it had a fixed monitor on the roof which was the best I've ever seen.

The main pump suffered badly from leaking gaskets, causing a lot of down time. It would run fine until you tried to do a suction test, at which point it usually surrendered, spraying water all over. However, at the only major incident I used it, Jumbo Mills, Kirkstall, Leeds, (just a make up to 12 and TL's 2....we didn't like to fuss in those days....)  it was set into the river as base pump, and happily supplied 8 deliveries all night at 100psi. It was a relief when it primed, I can tell you! I think Don Kirk was ADO i/c , and I wouldn't have liked to tell him it had failed again!

Great fish and chips from across the road though!

Does anyone remember the name of the DO at Leeds East at that time? Leeds West was Tony Upton.

I think the appliance finally went to Moreton, though I could be mistaken.

This appliance (and I use the phrase in its loosest possible way!), was stationed at Pontefract in the early 60's, and was a swine to operate.

It was an ex-army Bedford QL, with a modified crane on the back. The method of use was to raise the crane (with the grab or claw on it), drive or reverse into the burning stack, drop the crane and reverse out.

It was a finger grabber par excellence, and an all round pig.

I used it on at least two occasions at stack fires in the early 60's, and was glad to see it go to Shipley!

If anyone else has photos, I'd like to see them please.

A new Brigade Command Unit is currently being built by outside contractors. It will be similar to the one in service at present ...not sure which chassis it will be but more than likely on a Volvo.

 2 New Landrover appliances are on there way for moorland firefighting etc.....