Essex Fire Engines for Malawi

In September 2010 we started a project to supply Malawi with just 4 second life Fire Appliances and equipment. This project has slowly grown in vehicle numbers and giving us rewards, beyond our expectations, in the enthusiasum and the way Malawi is able to deal with Fire cover and community safety. This is a project we hope will continue to grow and develop for both parties.

Update February 2012

Ex Essex County Fire & Rescue Service vehicles have played a key part in the largest fire safety awareness campaign Malawi has ever seen.

Over 18,000 pupils and 130 teachers in Zomba citys primary schools have benefited from a Fire Safety campaign lead by Chief Fire Officer Loadius Sendaluzi of Zomba City Fire and Rescue Services

The awareness campaign covered

• The role of Fire and rescue services in council
• Common causes of fire in homes
• What to do when fire break out
• Emergency numbers for Fire services

DO Mark Samuels of ECFRS said: “This is why we spent a great deal of personal time and effort in arranging for these appliances to be sent."

Update January 2012

Another 2 Dennis Sabre Fire Appliances from Essex have now been shipped to serve the needs of Northern Malawi and the airport.

Along with the Vehicles there is another 20ft container with equipment and fire fighter clothing.

Update August 2011

The following clip shows the latest Essex County Fire & Rescue Dennis Sabre Fire Appliance that was dispatched in May 2011 being presented & demonstrated in Lilongwe city.

Update May 2011

The 5th vehicle (shown above) is now on its way with equipment and should find its way to station (just a parking space) by the end of the month.

The following photos show the first vehicles with the new fire crews.

Update March 2011

All the vehicles and the container have now arrived in Malawi after an eventful delayed journey. Just in time as the country's last operational Fire Appliance has now gone off the run. The 4 vehicles were all intended to stay in Blantyre, however the change in the country's need requires each vehicle to go to its own city. The 5th vehicle (destine for Lilongwe) is now ready for service and should go for shipping in the next few days.

September 2010

Four former Essex County Fire & Rescue (ECFRS) Fire Appliances are bound for Malawi after they were sold by the commercial arm of ECFRS (EFA Trading) and bought by a consortium who wants to assist with the rebuild of their Blantyre city Fire Service.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer & EFAT Chief Executive, Adam Eckley handing over of the keys to the Malawi High Commissioner, His Excellency Dr Francis Moto, for 4 Dennis Fire Appliances that we have sold to Malawi.

The Fire Appliances have been equipped thanks to donations from companies including

• BP Wytch Exploration Farm Dorset

• BP Chemicals Salt End Hull

• BP Sullum Voe oil terminal Shetland Isles

• Petroplus Refinery Essex

• Angus Fire - Kidde UK

• Water Jel Technologies

• Human Race Ltd

• Church’s Fire Security

The Appliances are being transported to the city of Blantyre by F. H. Bertling Ltd where they are due to be received by the country's president.

Discussions will continue for the supply of more Appliances to the Cities of Lilongwe, Zomba and Mzuzu.

Steve Smith, EFA Trading said: “These Fire Appliances have served the people of Essex well; they will now have a second life and continue saving lives in Malawi for many years to come.”

In 1998 with the help of Essex Fire Brigade, BP shipped some second hand fire tunics to Malawi which BP distributed to the city fire brigades. There have been no other donations since that time.
Although Richard Coates retired from BP in 2006, BP Malawi have remained in contact and have been trying to raise the funds to obtain further second hand Fire Appliances. Only now have they secured a number of business partners to help them hence the departure of these first 4 vehicles.
Richard provides his time free of any cost to undertake any training required and he has worked in Malawi on 2 occasions for BP and the state of fire and emergency response equipment is truly appalling, that is why he will continue to assist in whatever capacity he can.

“A number of organisations and individuals have worked extremely hard to make sure that these Fire Appliances and all of the associated equipment gets to Blantyre where they will assist in creating a safer sustainable community.”

In the following photo is (left to right); Andreas Heinel (F.H. Bertling Ltd), Mercy Tahuna (PA to Malawi High Commissioner), David Wiley (Waterjel Europe LLP), Councilor Anthony Hedley (Essex Fire Authority Chairperson), Graham Smith (F.H. Bertling Ltd), Stephen Smith (EFA (Trading) Ltd)

Fire Appliances have been developed not just to deal with fire but to deal with many rescue situations, just because they come to the end of a working life for you does not mean that should be scrapped. With some loving care,  most can continue to save lives for many years. This is where we can help in directing the Appliances to the right contacts, either in the UK or a worldwide market. Where industrial sites are looking to upgrade there vehicle, your old vehicle will have a trade-in value, we will then deal with the secure disposal of that vehicle.

Auction prices fluctuate widely and rarely return anything like the true market value of the appliance. Do not forget that the auctioneer will require payment for this heartache. You may also have concerns over the security aspects of disposal. We closely vet all our prospective customers and request testimonials or letters of reference for any buyers with whom we do not have a long term trading relationship.

We do not sell operational fire fighting vehicles to non fire related organisations other than bona fide collectors, museums or charities who wish to donate to third world fire brigades. In the latter case we would require tracking to confirm the appliance reaches its intended destination.

If you have appliances for disposal and wish to realise optimum returns, please contact us. We are also able to provide leasing companies with end of lease inspection reports and valuations by qualified engineers.

Please contact us to discuss in confidence your requirements.

We refurbish Godiva GMA water pumps with a stainless steel insert body returning it to its original high pressure performance. Over the years the Aluminium housing starts to degrade (photo below) causing a reduction of the high pressure. The stainless steel body insert and cover restores the format of the high pressure system, it will also prolong the life of the pump for many years as the stainless steel does not react & degrade the same way aluminium does. This kit is only available for the GMA2700 to GMA5300 pumps (500 to 1000 gallon per minute).

Pump covers before and after

Corrosion between ports in high pressure housing to this New Stainless Steel cover. Pump housings before and after

Corrosion in pump high pressure housing to this  Pump housing with new Stainless Steel insert. We can either rebuild your complete pump or supply the conversion kit as shown below.

Pump housing, impeller & cover

Please contact us for further details on the conversion kits.

We are able to export appliances and equipment to almost any country world wide. Examples are Republic of Ireland, Lithuania, France, Albania, Africa, Middle East, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and as far afield as Australia and New Zealand. Various shipping options are available with delivery to any UK port.

Should you have a specific requirement that is not shown please let us know and we will endeavour to source to assist. Appliances are exported as seen or refurbished to customer's requirements. Some examples of the vehicles we have exported to New Zealand & Tasmania are shown in the gallery.