HIGH
Reach
Appliance
ABOUT
High Reach Appliances (HRAs) are specialist appliances designed for firefighting and rescue at height. HRA feature extendable booms reaching up to 32 metres, the equivalent of
The primary role of an MIU is to support complex rescue operations, including plane crashes, serious road traffic collisions, and building collapses. Additionally, they carry supplementary equipment, such as extra breathing apparatus (BA) cylinders, basic decontamination resources, and ancillary tools to assist during large or multifaceted incidents, such as flooding.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) operates four MIUs, most of which were provided under the national resilience framework by the Scottish Government to select legacy services. MIUs are typically ‘jump-crewed’ by the station’s first-out pump crew, alongside a support pump. For USAR deployments, an MIU generally requires a team of 10 personnel, consisting of nine USAR technicians and one USAR team leader.
CLASSIFICATIONS
Aerial Ladder Platform (ALP)
An Aerial Ladder Platform is characterized by its extendable hydraulic boom and a caged working platform mounted at the end. The basket of an ALP will generally be located in the centre of the appliance.
Turntable Ladder (TL)
A Turntable Ladder is characterised by a long, extendable straight ladder mounted on a rotating turntable. The key feature of a TL is its 360-degree rotation, which enables the ladder to be positioned quickly and precisely. The basket of a TL will usually be mounted on the top of the appliance's cab, facing forward.
Aerial Rescue Pump (ARP)
An Aerial Rescue Pump (CARP) is a hybrid appliance that integrates the capabilities of a pump with an aerial ladder or platform. They are characterised by the ability to serve both as a primary pumping appliance and as an aerial unit. The basket is usually located at the rear of the appliance.
Hydraulic Platform (HP)
A Hydraulic Platform is defined by its extendable hydraulic arm fitted with a working platform or cage at the end, they are similar Aerial Ladder Platforms, yet lack the ladder component. The basket is usually located at the rear of the appliance.
Specification
Urban Search and Rescue (USAR)
Includes heavy-duty equipment capable of penetrating materials like concrete, structural shoring tools for stabilizing unsafe environments, thermal imaging devices for locating trapped individuals, respirator sets for confined or hazardous atmospheres, and advanced casualty transport solutions for critical incidents.
Heavy Rescue
Includes high-capability hydraulic cutting and spreading equipment, high-pressure airbags for lifting and stabilizing heavy loads, vehicle stabilization devices, casualty protection tools, trauma kits, advanced hydraulic tools, and a winch system with wire rope for vehicle extrication and structural rescue operations.
Body
Built on a Scania crew cab chassis and features a curtain slider system for efficient access to equipment. A Moffett Mounty forklift is mounted at the rear, enabling the swift unloading of palletized rescue tools and resources at the scene.
Ancillary
Carries welfare resources such as bottled water, basic decontamination supplies, and additional breathing apparatus (BA) cylinders to sustain extended operations. It is also equipped with flood response tools and portable scene lighting to assist in adverse conditions.