[18 September 2007]

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service FIREBIKE

East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service have appointed three staff to ride the brand new FIRE Bike, a 1000cc Honda Fire Blade. The motorbike is a powerful sports bike and the selection process stipulated that candidates must have a minimum of five years driving experience as well as a clean driving licence. There were a large amount of applicants and Sussex Police then tested the candidates on their riding ability. Following interview, the three successful staff were finally announced as Dave Thurston from Red Watch Bohemia Road, Jon Baker from Battle and Clive York, also from Battle.

East Sussex Fire & Rescue are the first Fire Service in the country to use a sports motorbike to promote road safety. The bike, along with its crew will be targeting groups of bikers all over the county, along side the police who also use sports bikes.

In 2006 alone, 3,172 lives were lost on British roads. A large number were bikers who are believed to be six times more likely to die in road traffic collisions (RTC'S) than car drivers. 98% of biker fatalities are sports bike riders and most of these people are aged between 35-45. As a result, East Sussex Fire & Rescue have become very pro-active towards targeting this group of people. The Fire Bike is used to engage sports motorcyclists throughout the County of East Sussex and the City of Brighton & Hove. ESFRS work in partnership with Sussex Police, highlighting these minority drivers at relevant venues and events where they park up.

The Fire Bike is on loan from JS Gedge World of Motor Cycling a local Hastings Firm who are also committed to motor cycle safety. As a result of this, the cost to the taxpayer is virtually nothing, especially significant when you consider a serious road fatality costs Sussex £1.6 million (as estimated by DFT (dept for Transport) for a serious/fatal road casualty - source - 'Highways economic note 1' - issued January 2007). Dave Thurston, Jon Baker and Clive York are committed to improving road safety cause and often give up their own weekends to crew the bike.