New equipment cuts costs and emissions

Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service has reported reduced costs and emissions following the installation of new wheel-alignment equipment, which it claims has helped to keep its fleet of 120 vehicles running smoothly.

It has installed the latest Josam wheel-alignment equipment from UK distributor, Automotive Equipment Solutions (AES), enabling its fleet to be regularly checked for correct wheel-alignment and steering geometry.

Fleet manager, Nigel Leppard said: “Our front-line firefighting appliances – all of which are heavy goods vehicles – and our blue light response light vehicles are often driven at high speeds when responding to a 999 emergency. As such, we must pay special attention to tyres, brakes and steering, and this is where the Josam equipment plays its part.”

The compact Cam-Aligner system enables the fire service to quickly and accurately check wheel angles such as toe, camber, steering box middle and axle offset, all of which is measured using Josam’s patented camera technology, using the chassis centre line as a point of reference.

Acting workshop manager, Adam Fowles said: “After AES took us through the basic on-site training, we found the Cam-Aligner quite simple to operate. It only takes about 20 minutes to carry out a routine inspection for each vehicle during its annual MOT, at which time any corrective adjustments can be made.”

Leppard said: “Carrying out this type of essential alignment work, lessens the threat of going over budget by keeping down costs. Furthermore, it reduces the threat of emergency vehicles being out of service and ensures that we meet our legal obligation to VOSA by maintaining a legally compliant and safe fleet.”