London Fire Brigade Appliances - Dual-purpose Ladder

The dual-purpose ladder (DPL) is the standard fire engine deployed to all 999 emergency calls by the London Fire Brigade. There are around 170 DPLs in operation across the city.

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.

Between 2002 and 2007 a new fleet of 216 Mercedes-Benz Atego vehicles were delivered to fire stations, training centres and driving schools throughout London with new TVAC/Plastisol bodywork. These replaced the existing fleet of older Volvo FL 6.14s with Saxon Sanbec bodywork.

All fire engines carry first aid equipment, including defibrillators. The introduction of first aid capability and training – known as Immediate Emergency Care (IEC) – mean that as part of normal duties firefighters attending incidents will be prepared to treat casualties who need immediate medical care until paramedics arrive to take over.