MAJOR
INCIDENT
Unit
ABOUT
Major Incident Units (MIUs) are specialist rescue appliances designed to transport Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) and heavy rescue equipment to the scene of an incident. These units utilize a curtain slider system for easy access to their contents, carrying palletized rescue equipment, with a forklift mounted on the rear to facilitate unloading.
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.
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.