Emergency One Group is the largest manufacturer of Fire and Rescue Appliances in the UK and now is expanding further into international markets. Incorporating Clan Tools, Plant Ltd (who supply Fire and Rescue operational equipment) and Emergency One Group provide a one-stop shop for all your firefighting needs. They pride themselves in creating the best possible experience for customers, indeed, with each vehicle being tailored to suit individual needs and requirements, there is nothing they can’t build.
Emergency One (UK) Ltd was established in 1989 in Cumnock, Scotland and started out with six employees, building on average five vehicles a year. Now, over 30 years later, and with 250 employees, they are the largest employers in the area and market leaders in the industry. From The World’s First Fully Electric Fire Engine to E1 technology solutions, such as ePumpControl and our e1Fleet™ systems, innovation is at the heart of everything they do, and importantly, they ensure that this translates to improvements in appliance design, quality and safety.
Backed and supported by passionate and hardworking employees, they strive to better themselves every day.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Emergency One: Emergency One specialises in primarily manufacturing of pumping appliances for fire services in the UK. Additionally, they manufacture a range of specialised vehicles such as turntable ladders, electric appliances, off-road appliances, command units, and much more.
E.E: What’s the news about new products?
Emergency One: Emergency One’s newest innovations focus on tackling EV Fires as it has become an increasing issue with the increase in electric vehicles being sold globally. Their new products the E1 EV Submersion Unit and E1 Tactical Suppression System are the ideal solution for tackling EV Fires.
Given that the battery element of an EV vehicle needs to remain submerged for a period of time post-ignition to ensure that it remains stable, the new E1 EV Submersion unit is designed specifically for this purpose. The container is compatible with existing hook lift prime movers and allows for the containment of run-off contaminated water. The front door of the container folds down as a ramp to allow easy vehicle entry with the aid of an integrated winch system. The door is sealed, and the sprinkler system is activated and driven by a petrol-powered pump (optional) once the water source has been attached. A hydraulic-powered roof can be added for security and complete containment. The majority of these actions are carried out at a distance by remote control, with the container being specified around the customers’ requirements.
The new E1 TSS (tactical suppression system) is designed to keep crews at a safe distance while cooling the batteries of an EV Fire or extinguishing any class A vehicle fire. Available in various sizes to deal with small and large vehicle fires, and the ability to be linked together to cool and protect a number of vehicles simultaneously. The priority of cooling lithium batteries is an early tactic due to the potential of thermal runaway, the E1 TSS purpose is to protect crews and the further spread of fire. This compact solution is easily stowed, transported and quick to get to work in a multitude of vehicle fire scenarios including multistorey car parks, ferries and built-up areas. The TSS can be mounted on fire appliances subject to customers’ choice and space availability.
Emergency One, the UK’s leading manufacturer of firefighting and rescue vehicles, has been awarded grant funding to produce a prototype of a hydrogen fuel cell-powered fire appliance. The concept behind this is to explore the potential of hydrogen as a clean alternative fuel for emergency vehicles. Other partners in the project with Emergency One include Altair Ltd for vehicle energy system modelling, along with ULEMCo Technical Services (UK) Ltd for cooling capability.
Emergency One and their partners have been awarded £3.9 million by the government, matched by industry to a total of £7.9 million, for a major project with Oxfordshire County Council (OCC) to develop solutions for hydrogen-powered vehicles. The ‘HYER Power’ project will develop a hydrogen fuel cell range extender module that will integrate into electric vehicles used for specialist applications such as ambulances, fire engines and street sweepers.
This news follows Emergency One’s success with their fully electric-powered fire engine range E1 EV0™. The company’s first E1 EV0™ was launched in 2020 and marked the world’s first fully electric fire appliance. Emergency One aims to demonstrate the feasibility of hydrogen-powered solutions for use in firefighting and other emergency response applications, with the ultimate goal of promoting the adoption of clean energy solutions in the emergency services sectors.
E.E: What are the ranges of products?
Emergency One: Emergency One provides a wide range of appliances from lightweight off-road vehicles to Europe’s largest turntable ladder and everything in between. Each build is tailored to suit the individual customers’ requirements and there’s nothing they cannot build. E1’s range of specialist appliances includes the E1 EV0™ electric pumping appliance range, the E1 Scorpion™ which features a 16m or 20m High Reach Extendable Turret (HRET) system, the E1 Manticore™ which is their new airport firefighting appliance and the E1 MIVe which is a lightweight N1 homologated industrial appliance.
Every Emergency One Pumping Appliance comes equipped with its innovated eCabControl and ePumpControl user interface screens. These unique control systems are fully customisable and will allow the user to have control and situational awareness of the appliance.
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
Emergency One: Emergency One is stable as a market leader within the UK and has grown a well-established customer base. The company now look to expand into international markets and have already begun this process with builds being sold to France, North America, and New Zealand over the past couple of months.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
Emergency One: Over the past few years, Emergency One has seen two main trends emerge, one being a clean cab solution and the other being interest in electric vehicle solutions. The clean cab requests have predominately been down to increased concern over the health of firefighters and their exposure to harmful carcinogens. In order to provide a cleaner environment, many services now look at storing kits and Breathing Apparatus exterior to the cab. Emergency One can provide multiple stowage solutions for this, including slide-out BA brackets either in a locker or bespoke made in the bodywork. As for electric appliances, Emergency One has the capability to electrify any chassis for any vehicle type.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
Emergency One: In terms of innovation, Emergency One’s electric vehicle range the E1 EV0 is some of the most innovative technology in the industry. With three vehicles being sold to France, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and London Fire Brigade and their electric vehicle technology being used by their North American partner Rev Group
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2023?
Emergency One: Emergency One projects that in 2023, there will be ongoing interest among fire services in electric appliances and other sustainable solutions. Additionally, there is expected to be a focus on developing firefighting solutions specifically tailored for electric vehicle (EV) fires.
With the ever-changing technology in batteries for electric vehicles, there will no doubt be improvements and advances in what can be achieved.