Continuing a theme of driver training and vehicle familiarity with some of our operational members less experienced at driving team vehicles, today it was the turn of our Deputy Team Leader Chris Greenhalgh, a GMFRS Firefighter and Fire Appliance Driver by profession, to take team members Heath Doran and Neil Haigh out for some instruction.

This comprehensive session was described by Chris as covering;

“The driver vehicle checks on Land Rover Defender Bolton Mobile 2 including fluid levels, tyre pressures, all vehicle lights, siren and horn followed by filling in the vehicle log book, checking for damage, fuelling up and security of load.

I then ran through how the bonnet mounted search light works, checking the batteries, jump starting and use of high/low range and diff lock.

I mentioned the winch but they have both had instruction on this before apparently so I just reminded them where the controller is kept and where the power switch is on the dash. Heath and Neil then both took turns at driving on a combination of main roads and narrower country roads, Heath had a go at changing between high and low range and engaging/disengaging differential lock.”

Both heath and Neil were recommended they keep up their driving accompanied by our experienced drivers on Wednesday nights or Sundays, whenever the team is out and about.