Dual-purpose ladder

---

London Fire Brigade dual-purpose ladder
Oxford Street
London, September 2003

“The dual-purpose ladder (DPL) is the standard fire engine deployed to all 999 emergency calls by the London Fire Brigade. There are 102 DPLs in operation across the city, with 45 in reserve and 25 used for training purposes. The DPL typically carries 13.5 m and/or 9 m ladder extensions, eight 18 m lengths of hose-reel tubing, four 23 m lengths of 45 mm hose, ten 23 m lengths of 70 mm hose, cutting equipment, a portable generator, a lightweight portable pump, water-packs, inflatable airbags, road signs, floodlights, a medical kit, hose ramps, general tools, chemical suits and breathing apparatus. At fire stations with two DPLs, one will be a 'pump' and the other a 'pump ladder', both carrying a short extension ladder and cat ladder for climbing roofs. The pump carries the 9 m ladder, the pump ladder carries the 13.5 m, whilst stations with only one DPL will carry both. DPLs weigh around 11.2 tonnes, and are approximately 7.7 m long, 2.3 m wide and 3.2 m high. They carry up to 1,365 litres of water and have a pumping capacity of 3,910 l/min.” (London Fire Brigade appliances, Wikipedia)