Emergency One UK Ltd is celebrating following a contract with Hérault Fire Service to supply its innovative electric fire appliances and further the ‘net zero’ goals for the French fire service.
Ivan McKee, Scottish government Minister for Business, met with Emergency One, representatives from Hérault Fire Service and French government officials to mark the key export contract as part of a visit to France earlier this month.
The company is based in Cumnock, Scotland, and is the UK’s largest manufacturer of fire and rescue appliances, now leading the way in sustainable emergency vehicles with the launch of the E1 EV0 the world’s first fully electric fire appliance in October 2020.
Mr McKee said: “The Scottish government’s drive towards ‘net zero’ emissions is not just an environmental imperative, it opens new markets and creates economic opportunities. Businesses such as Emergency One are using their expertise and ingenuity to unlock this potential. The new relationship with Hérault Fire Services has been secured against international competition and positions the company as a global leader in the sector.”
Emergency One built the electric fire appliance as part of its move to more sustainable products supported by a grant from Scottish Enterprise in 2020. The manufacturer has also been supported by the economic development agency’s international arm, Scottish Development International, in its international growth ambitions to secure its first French export contract with Hérault Fire Service.
Mike Madsen, Emergency One managing director, said: “The development of ‘zero emission’ fire and rescue vehicles is business critical in a ‘green thinking’ economy and we are proud to be working with a leading French Fire and Rescue Service to put the first electric fire appliance into service on the European mainland.”
“Not only is the electric route safer for the environment but also the firefighters themselves and we are proud of the technology and progress to market of the E1 EV0.”
Malcolm Etridge, Emergency One’s international business development manager, said: “Any export journey can be a long and complex process and absolutely key to our recent export success of the EV0 is the involvement of Scottish Development International (SDI) both in helping to promote the concept but also provide clarity about local culture and appropriate marketing strategies.”
Sharon McKendry, Scottish Enterprise global head of trade (science and technology), said: “We are proud to have worked with Emergency One over many years. The company is a brilliant example of an innovative Scottish manufacturer with export ambitions that is taking its sustainable fire appliances to serve markets across the world and is grasping the opportunities of climate change.
“The company’s contract with Hérault Fire Services, that covers a population of over 1 million people, will act as a springboard to gain additional sales on the French market. It is fantastic to see this success from the firm that brought us the world’s first fully electric fire appliance, built in Scotland that is saving lives and the planet.”
“Scottish Enterprise aims to support companies like Emergency One to enter new markets and take Scotland’s innovative products and services to international markets.”
The E1 EVO is the world’s first fully electric fire appliance, with zero emissions as it combines electric technology both while driving and operating its fire pump, setting the appliance apart from other ‘hybrid’ vehicles that are available that offer a far more restricted range.
Emergency One has manufactured a vehicle that is capable of the identical operational capacity as those powered by fossil-fuelled engines.