Brigade Command Unit

Newbie User Online: Joined: 16 Jan 2008 Posts: 13

Hi

Can anyone advise as to the future of R131KGH, the BCU coach which was retired when the brand new CSUs came on the run?

Is it going to be sold to another brigade?
Also just an aside, now that you will have multiple CSUs at an 8x pump, 12x pump, 16x pump, etc, rather than a central command post (i.e. the BCU), what happens? Does each CSU on the scene control a different aspect of operations?
Just a bit confused as to how you can have more than one Command post at a large incident!

thanks guys

Learner User Online: Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 41

The first CSU will now respond on multiple calls to a fire, or if not on 4 pumps. A second is then sent on six, and a third either on eight or ten I think. This is more for personnell, there will usually be a main command unit and the others may be used for BA control, controlling certain sectors of the fire or as conference areas.
Obviously operational firefighters will be able to give you a bit more info.

Newbie User Online: Joined: 16 Jan 2008 Posts: 13

So... nobody know the whereabouts / fate of the BCU?

Learner User Online: Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 41

Left in the yard at Ruislip works at the moment

Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 7:37 pm

This Brigade Command unit is now with Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service as are some ex LFB volvos.

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 6:53 pm

I was picking up a car on Saturday morning and it was still parked (dumped) in the back yard of the workshops in Ruislip! along with more ex appliances than i have ever seen there including 3 command pod bodies. The front parking area also had in excess of 20 Volvo's

Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 7:06 pm

Think I might have got mixed up with the other BCU which is at Market Rasen in Llincilnshire.

Learner User Online: Joined: 03 Oct 2007 Posts: 41

There is only one BCU. I believe it went up to Lincs and has come back down to London temporarily for some mechanical work, or possibly a bit of an update inside. Good to see the old appliances receiving new lives up there rather than being converted to limos.

Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 1:48 pm

Well it is being converted into nothing at the momnet. Not sure why anybody would want to get the LFB to upgrade an appliance as surly with their current history it will sit in the workshops yard for 3 years and then be fitted with out of date equipment that is not compatable with any other brigades equipment!! (sorry to be a bar steward but as an outsider and a taxpayer thats how it sits with me and I am sure many others.

Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 1:24 pm

That would be about right.