Page 4 - October 2023

THE SALAMANDER
After the ceremony we were invited to take a tour of the new station. Having visited the old station, I personally have to say how delighted I was to see the new station, as consideration was not only given to the crew who had to live and work there, but also to the dignity that was required for the persons that were being rescued and treated before being transported to a waiting ambulance.
I have asked if we can arrange a visit for trustees that are interested, and anyone from the wider Company. There are a few things that still need to be sorted out on board, so I would suggest late Spring of 2024.
Bishop of London christens London Fire Brigade’s new Fire boats as they enter service on the Thames on 26th July 2023
The Brigade’s new fire boats have been blessed by the Bishop of London as part of their official christening, as they begin to respond to emergencies and operate along the river. These new fire boats are part of a £40m investment in the Brigade’s transformation which has been funded by City Hall. With the support of the Mayor of London, this funding has modernised the Brigade’s ability to respond to emergencies and involved the introduction of 64 metre and 32 metre ladders. Last September, the Mayor welcomed the boats to the city and after a period of testing and training the boats are in service.
These fire boats will be responsible for responding to emergencies from Teddington in the west, to the Dartford Crossing in the east. They’ll work alongside partners on the water, including the Metropolitan Police Service and RNLI, to keep Londoners safe around the Thames. The fire boats can also be dispatched directly to an incident on the Thames by the Coastguard.
These are the most advanced fire boats the Brigade has ever operated and carry more life-saving equipment than ever before. As well as hoses that allow crews to fight fires from the river, the boats are fitted with a hydraulic crane for carrying out rescues from the water and a high-definition thermal imaging camera. Their flat bottom and landing ramp also means they can rescue people who may be stranded on the shore.
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