London Fire Brigade Gallery

LCC-LFB first emergency tender crew, Clerkenwell

It was more a dedicated breathing apparatus fire engine but is deemed to be the forerunner of the emergency tenders. This fire engine also had a petrol engine generator to supply the electric floodlights it also carried. This fire engine was based at Clerkenwell fire station. It soon proved its worth and improved enclosed models followed and the days of the emergency tender were born. The picture shows firemen wearing the Proto one hour self contained oxygen The crew are wearing the Proto breathing apparatus introduced from 1908

© London Fire Brigade / Mary Evans Picture Library

LFCDA-LFB Fire Rescue tenders

The 1990s saw a new breed of fire rescue tenders, large and small, introduced into the London Fire Brigade. The heavy rescue unit carried a comprehensive range of cutting and spreading equipment, a larger crew, breathing apparatus and chemical protection suits. The light unit, whilst having lifting and spreading equipment, did not have the same scoop of equipment and carried a smaller crew. The picture shows the open compartments of a light rescue unit

© London Fire Brigade / Mary Evans Picture Library

Fire Brigade street fire alarm call post

A passer-by pulls a fire alarm to notify the fire brigade of an incident. By the outbreak of the First World War the London Fire Brigade area was well covered with electric fire alarms. On breaking the glass cover, the brass handle was pulled and this would register at the fire station the precise location of the alarm. The instruction on the alarm says: ?Wait for Engine?, so that the caller could then direct the crew into action

© London Fire Brigade / Mary Evans Picture Library