Isle of Wight Fire Service: IRU Status

The question of whether the Isle of Wight possesses an Incident Response Unit (IRU) is a pertinent one, especially when considering the national framework for emergency response capabilities in the UK. The information provided sheds light on the deployment of these crucial assets and their specific roles. It's important to understand the context of the IRU programme to accurately assess the situation for the Isle of Wight.

Understanding Incident Response Units (IRUs)

Incident Response Units (IRUs) were a significant investment by the Department for Communities & Local Government (DCLG) in England and Wales. A total of eighty such units were procured at a substantial cost of £54 million, achieving full operational status by April 30, 2004. These vehicles were not static resources; they were strategically located across fire and rescue services throughout England and Wales, but remained the property of the DCLG, signifying their status as a national resource. This meant they could be deployed anywhere in the country as the need arose. Scotland and Northern Ireland, it should be noted, managed their own procurement of IRU equipment, separate from the New Dimension stock.

The primary purpose of these IRUs was to provide a mass decontamination facility. This capability was essential for responding to incidents involving Chemical, Biological, Radiological, or Nuclear (CBRN) materials, whether stemming from terrorist activity or industrial accidents. Each IRU was equipped to handle such scenarios effectively.

IRU Capabilities and Equipment

The sophistication of the IRUs lay in their comprehensive equipment designed for mass decontamination. Each vehicle carried two MD1 mass decontamination units. These were not mere shelters but advanced systems, each capable of processing 200 individuals per hour. The supporting equipment was equally impressive, including:

• Disrobe and re-robe packs for personnel undergoing decontamination.
• Pumps and water heaters to ensure comfortable and effective showering.
• Lighting systems for visibility during operations.
• Hoses for water delivery.
• Gas-tight suits for personnel working in hazardous environments.
• Detection and monitoring equipment, such as radiation dosimeters and survey meters, to assess contamination levels.

Consumable materials, vital for the decontamination process like detergents and the disrobe/re-robe packs themselves, were designed to be replenished by dedicated modules, ensuring continuous operational readiness.

The Decontamination Process

The decontamination units, specifically the MD1 units, were essentially tent-like structures. They were supported by an articulating frame and, once erected, required no further maintenance. Each unit measured 14 metres in length and was divided into three distinct sections: disrobing, showering, and re-robing. Within the showering section, fifty integral showers and four overhead hand showers provided warm water and detergent. The decontamination cycle for individuals lasted three minutes. Crucially, the IRUs also incorporated facilities for waste water containment and disposal, addressing a critical aspect of the decontamination process. To maintain dignity, individuals could undress under lined and hooded cloaks before entering the heated shower units. Upon exiting, they were provided with re-robe packs containing jump suits, sanitary products, and shoes.

The IRUs were also equipped to handle casualties on stretchers. A specially designed trolley system allowed for the decontamination of stretcher-borne casualties, with the capacity to process 25 casualties per hour. Furthermore, each IRU carried an inflatable MD4 firefighter decontamination unit. This unit was specifically designed to decontaminate fire and rescue service personnel who were wearing gas-tight suits, ensuring their safety after operating in hazardous atmospheres.

Vehicle Design and Logistics

The logistical and engineering aspects of the IRUs were also noteworthy. The equipment was stored in twelve container pallets, stacked two high on the vehicle floor. A Moffett Mounty M2003E forklift truck, with a 2-tonne capacity, was carried on the rear of each vehicle to facilitate the unloading of these pallets, two at a time. Marshall SV of Cambridge served as the prime contractor, overseeing the entire project from design to manufacture.

The vehicles themselves were built on a MAN TG-A 26.363 6x2 chassis, featuring a 5.5m wheelbase, rear-steer, and tag axle, coupled with a full air suspension system. A unique curtainside restraining method was developed to secure the equipment and allow forklift access along the entire length of the vehicle bed. A key design constraint was maintaining an overall vehicle height of no more than 3.3m to accommodate headroom restrictions in some fire station appliance bays. To facilitate the loading and unloading of double-stacked pallets, a powered roof-raising mechanism was devised, capable of increasing the height by 300mm while keeping the vehicle within operational road height limits.

Electrical and Communications Systems

Auto Electrical Services (AES) managed the integration of the electrical and communications systems. The IRU's radio communications and electrical control systems were consolidated into a single cabinet located at the rear of the cab, a design facilitated by the absence of a rear cab window. The cab itself was equipped with a mobile data terminal, printer, and touch-screen from Tempus Computers Ltd, all mounted on a central plinth. The radio system, supplied by Cleartone Ltd, offered a comprehensive suite of communication options, including Tetra, low-band VHF AM/FM, and high-band VHF packs, all controlled via a single radio head. Cellular communication was provided by a Motorola 8989 GSM unit operating on the Orange network, with provisions for an alternative call bearer. A Global Positioning System (GPS) was integrated to transmit positional information to both fixed and remote locations.

IRU Deployment Across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland

The eighty IRUs were delivered to the government in January and February 2004 and became operational by the end of April 2004. Their deployment was strategically planned across various regions. Here’s a breakdown of the initial allocation:

It's noteworthy that an IRU was transferred from Lincolnshire to Derbyshire in 2007, indicating the dynamic nature of these deployments. The data clearly shows that the Isle of Wight did not receive an IRU as part of this initial national allocation, with the table explicitly listing 'Isle of Wight' with '0' IRUs.

Isle of Wight's Specific Decontamination Capabilities

While the Isle of Wight did not have a dedicated IRU, this does not mean it lacked essential mass decontamination capabilities. The provided text clarifies that the Isle of Wight was instead provided with a mass decontamination special module (MDS). This module offered a crucial enhancement: an additional detection, identification, and monitoring (DIM) capability. This suggests a tailored approach to meet the specific needs and risk assessments for the island, ensuring that critical decontamination functions were still available.

Comparison with Rapid Response Units (RRUs)

The information also touches upon Rapid Response Units (RRUs) being developed for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS). These RRUs, built on an Iveco chassis with bodywork by Emergency One UK, represent a different approach, focusing on enhanced pumping capabilities and carrying advanced equipment like the Coldcut Cobra C360 system. While these RRUs also represent significant technological advancements in firefighting, they serve a different primary purpose than the mass decontamination focus of the national IRUs. The mention of RRUs being stationed in various locations across Scotland, including rural and island communities, highlights the ongoing evolution of fire service equipment to meet diverse operational demands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Isle of Wight have an Incident Response Unit (IRU)?

No, the Isle of Wight did not receive one of the eighty national Incident Response Units (IRUs) deployed across England and Wales. However, it was provided with a mass decontamination special module (MDS) with enhanced detection, identification, and monitoring capabilities.

What was the primary purpose of the IRUs?

The primary purpose of the IRUs was to provide a mass decontamination facility for incidents involving Chemical, Biological, Radiological, or Nuclear (CBRN) materials.

Who owned and managed the national IRUs?

The IRUs remained the property of the Department for Communities & Local Government (DCLG) and were considered a national resource, deployable anywhere in England and Wales.

What made the IRUs effective for decontamination?

Each IRU carried two MD1 mass decontamination units, capable of treating 200 persons per hour, along with supporting equipment such as disrobe/re-robe packs, showers, and monitoring devices.

Did the Isle of Wight have any decontamination capabilities?

Yes, the Isle of Wight was equipped with a mass decontamination special module (MDS) that included additional detection, identification, and monitoring (DIM) functions.

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