Rosenbauer UK secures £3m firefighting deal with Irish airports

A YORKSHIRE-BASED supplier of fire vehicles and firefighting equipment has secured a partnership with two major Irish airports.

Rosenbauer UK, which is based in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, will be supplying Belfast International Airport (BIA) and Shannon Airport with a fleet of hi-tech vehicles worth more than £3m.

Belfast and Shannon will be the first Irish airports to upgrade its fleet of airfield firefighting vehicles to the new Rosenbauer ‘Panther’ vehicles in 2018.

The 6x6 Panthers are powered by 750 break horse power engines and include thermal imaging mounted cameras to help firefighters identify the hottest part of the aircraft.

The vehicles also include the Rosenbauer Stinger High Reach Extendable Turret (HRET) which can deliver 6,000 litres of water and foam per minute over a distance of more than 90 metres. The Stinger also has the capacity to inject the fuselage of an aircraft and deliver 1,000 litres of water or foam per minute into the cockpit from the piercing tool.

Speaking of the collaborations, Rosenbauer UK managing director, Oliver North, said: “Working with both BIA and Shannon Airport on such prestigious projects is an incredible development within the Irish Airport firefighting arena.

“We have a great relationship with both airports and the Panther has an exceptional legacy across Ireland.

“These newer versions will only go towards enhancing functionality and safety for both airports.

“We’re very much looking forward to working with both airports and seeing our world-class Panthers out in force for their fire services.”