Fire motorcycles are used
around the world.
Australia The
New South Wales Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) uses motorcycles during
wildfire operations to conduct rapid response to
lightning strikes for dry fire fighting,
Remote Area Firefighting Team (RAFT) operations, fire trail inspections, assessment of forward containment lines, and to act as a visual deterrent in areas of suspected serial arson in bush land. In addition to firefighting, these motorcycles are employed to assist the
State Emergency Service and
New South Wales Police Force in
search and rescue operations throughout the state. They are commonly equipped with basic first aid kits,
chainsaws, and fire extinguishers.
Brazil The São Paulo Fire Department of Brazil use teams of two fire motorcycles to reduce first response times to fire or medical emergencies in the congested streets of
São Paulo from twelve-to-fifteen minutes for conventional fire vehicles, to just five minutes. Their motorcycles are machines, and carry basic
emergency medical services (EMS) equipment, tools, signalling devices, and other accessories, such as torches and elevator keys.
Brunei Fire motorcycles are used in
Brunei Darussalam by their
Fire and Rescue Department; they include the
Yamaha FZ6 Fazer S2 and
Suzuki GS300E.
China Beijing introduced fire motorcycle operations for
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in 2014. China manufacture and use fire vehicles ranging from two-wheeled motorcycles (including off-road versions), four-wheeled open quad bikes, and four-wheeled quad-based covered all-terrain vehicles, However, motorbikes are not part of the national
Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN) standards for fire apparatus; if their purchase by a municipal department will be subsidised with state funds depends on local laws.
Greece Fire motorcycles are used in Greece.
Malaysia The
Royal Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department and the
Royal Malaysian Civil Defence Force in order to combat increasing traffic congestion which delays ordinary fire appliances, with response time being a critical factor in preventing the spread of fires in the high-rise residential blocks. The force operates fire motorcycle teams composed of three junior officers. They are usually the first to arrive at the scene of a fire or an incident, and if necessary, will enter a premises to fight or prevent the spread of a fire. The riders are equipped with impulse guns, which can fire powerful bursts of water mist at speeds of up to .
Nepal Fire motorcycles modified with fire extinguishers and emergency siren are in use in
Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. They are able to reach "every nooks and corners of the city, even up to the doorsteps of the houses that catch fire", and are in part funded by a 'fire tax' levied by Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC).
Russia Fire motorcycles have been used in Russia. The force operates fire motorcycle teams composed of two junior officers. They are usually the first to arrive at the scene of a fire, and if necessary, will enter a premises (with force if necessary) to fight or prevent the spread of a fire. The riders are equipped with impulse guns, which can fire powerful bursts of water mist at speeds of up to . The two
BMW R1200RT trial bikes are fitted with two canisters filled with water and foam and a high powered long jet hose. They are to be used to combat small fires, and to free up main fire appliances. In 2007, Merseyside also introduced two Honda
quad-bikes for fire safety awareness campaigns, and possibly for operational use to fight woodland or grass fires. A number of other UK fire services also operate fire motorcycles; not to fight fires or aid fire response times, but instead to promote safe motorcycle riding.
West Sussex,
North Wales,
Kent, and
Northumberland. The Northumberland fire motorcycle was later fitted with an external automatic
defibrillator and
trauma care kit allowing it to also be used as a response vehicle for road traffic accidents.
United States of America Fire motorcycles are very uncommon in the United States of America. The Daytona Beach Fire Department has had a Motor Medic team in continuous operation since 1994. In September 2012, the
Los Angeles City Fire Department started a trial run studying the use of a motorcycle response team for brush fires, and to aid during times of heavy congestion. Other areas in the US, including
Miami-Dade,
New York,
Seattle,
Lansing, Michigan, have explored the use of alternative vehicles for EMS response, specifically bicycles,
quad bikes, and electric carts. ==See also==