In the UK the latest additions to Merseyside's 'blue light' emergency fleet have been unveiled ? BMW R1200RT fire bikes. It is the first time that motorcycles with firefighting capability have been used in the UK and the bikes, along with the riders' personal protective equipment, have been specially designed for the purpose.

The BMW R1200RT police-specification bikes will go into operation this month, attending small fires as part of a six-month trial. Motorcycles have been used by Fire Services for operational duties throughout the world for some years, including Hong Kong, Sweden, Denmark, Italy and Turkey, but this is the first time they have been used in the UK.

Group Manager John McCormack, who has led the project on behalf of Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, said: "It is a pioneering way of dealing with small fires and because it has never been done here, the project has been several years in the making. The bike and the kit have been specifically designed so that they are safe and fit for purpose and we are impressed with the products that we now have. We will now be trialling them for six months on the streets of Merseyside."

The motorbikes carry two 25-litre tanks and a 30-metre hose reel with a dual-nozzle that can deliver either water droplets or foam. This mixture of foam and water can control a fire quickly. The droplets hang in the air, interfere with the propogation of the flame and cool it. A layer of foam is then applied to prevent re-ignition. The system, created by Denmark-based Firexpress, uses compressed air to power it, so that it operates independently of the bike's motor.

Just as important as the firefighting equipment, has been the personal protective equipment. Although the fire bikes were in use elsewhere in the world, there was no protective equipment available on the market that met both EU professional motorcycle rider standards and professional firefighting standards at the same time. This is important, as there is no room to carry spare kit, or time for riders to get changed.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service worked alongside Universal Carbon Fibres to produce a kit that met all requirements. The kit now worn by the riders has never been used anywhere else in the world.

Deputy Chief Fire Officer Mike Hagen said: "We are once again looking for innovative ways to help us tackle the issues that we face in Merseyside. Anti-social behaviour fires, such as wheelie bins and skips, account for 62 percent of our total fire call-outs. We used to send a fire engine with a full crew to tackle them, but we want these appliances available for emergencies where life or property are at risk. In recent years we have looked at alternative ways to tackle these incidents and these fire bikes offer a new, exciting possibility."

At a recent launch event, there was significant interest from other UK fire services, who sent representatives along to have a look at the BMW R1200RT bikes and see their capabilities.

The six-month trial will allow Merseyside Fire and Rescue to see how effective the bikes are and how best to incorporate them into its Blue Light fleet on a longer-term basis. It is already anticipated that the fleet of firefighting motorcycles will be expanded.