Mumbai Fire Brigade to utilise Mercedes-Benz Actros trucks for special application

The largest fire brigade in India, the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai, has become the first government-owned rescue organisation to utilise Mercedes-Benz Actros trucks in its fleet.

The new Actros is the most technologically advanced heavy-end truck in India. It offers highest standrad of exclusivity in terms of innovative design philosophy, outstanding reliability and economy, pleasant and comfortable driving experience and extraordinary safety standards. 

Suhas Kadlaskar, director, corporate affairs and HR, along with Dinesh Kumar Jain, head, sales and marketing, trucks, Mercedes-Benz India, presented the keys of the vehicles to P D Karguppikar, chief  fire officer, Mumbai Fire Brigade,  at an event held at the company premises at Chakan near Pune, yesterday.

''The Mercedes-Benz Actros Trucks offered to MFB are built on the robust Mercedes Actros 4841K chassis,'' said Karguppikar.

Features like three-millimetre thick, pressure-tight guard plate for the radiator and engine, automatic telligent gearshift, a first-of-its kind 8x4 configuration with two front steered axles, safety features like ABS and ASR, among others makes the Actros the reliable and obvious choice for demanding applications as required for fire tenders.

Kadlaskar, said, ''The Actros is already a proven product in the Indian conditions. We are confident this will establish a whole new benchmark in terms of unsurpassed technology, innovation and quality product, opening up further possibilities in various special applications.''

Established in 1887, and headed by P D Karguppikar, chief fire officer at the organisation, the Mumbai Fire Brigade is responsible for the provision of fire protection in the City of Greater Mumbai as well as responding to building collapses, drowning cases, gas leakage, oil spillage, road and rail accidents, bird and animal rescues, fallen trees and taking appropriate action during natural calamities.

It is the largest fire brigade in India with a fleet of around 200 vehicles, with various applications ranging from water bowsers, turn table ladders, access ladder platforms and other fire fighting equipments.