MacNeillie, the vehicle conversion company, has delivered what it terms one of the most advanced Command Support Units (CSU) to Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service. The Walsall, West Midlands company is a bodybuilder and vehicle integrator, serving the emergency services, defence and security sectors.
All systems in the vehicle are fully integrated within an extra long wheel base high roof Mercedes Sprinter 515 CDI panel van. In transit mode, the vehicle can carry up to five, with the three rear cabin seats being suitable for forward facing travel – or swivelled for use at workstations.
The control room area is fitted with two IT desk and screen display positions down the offside of the vehicle. A full height 19-inch rack is installed on the nearside of the vehicle, which carries all the electronics required to run the CSU functionality. An adjacent half height 19-inch rack houses the computers required to operate other systems in the vehicle.
A heavy duty awning system is fitted to the nearside of the vehicle extending rearwards from the cab door. When erected, it can be enclosed with separately attached side, front and skirt panels to create a 4.6m x 3.0m external briefing area. A 40-inch external display screen is mounted on the nearside of the vehicle within the awning area and an adjacent fold-out workstation is available for the Incident Commander if required.
The unit can be fully self-sufficient in operation and carries an 8.0kW mains generator set, which can run all onboard systems and equipment. Input provision for external power is also included via a fully protected mains distribution board. The rear doors open to reveal a generous equipment compartment, the roof section of which is reinforced to carry a satellite dish if required. Apart from normal audio visual warning and conspicuity equipment, the unit also carries a public address system. Externally, the communications antennae, for VHF, Airwave and 3G, are mounted on a 1.8 metre extendable Clark mast, together with a red / white incident control beacon.
MacNeillie Sales and Business Development Manager, Phil Peel says: “The systems and technology which we are now able to build into these units significantly enhances incident management and communications capability, as well as enabling critical decisions to be made with much better and more detailed levels of real-time information. In addition, the unit can act as a central co-ordinating hub for inter-agency and external communications channels which might be required, particularly during the emergency stages of a major incident.”
The new Command Support Unit, which replaces a much older vehicle, will normally deploy to any incident in Warwickshire, where five or more appliances are in attendance. The unit was formally handed over at a commissioning event attended by county councillors.
