Soham’s firefighters will be among the first on-call crews for 30 years to receive a brand new fire engine.

The new engines, known as light rescue pumps, are already on the run at

Whittlesey, Yaxley and St Ives, after taking delivery of them last month, with Soham’s engine is set to arrived next Thursday.

The rescue pumps look similar to traditional fire engines, carrying 1,800 litres of water and a variety of ladders, but also hold additional equipment for road traffic collisions.

Area commander Maurice Moore said: “This is the first time in many years that we’ve been in a position to offer the best available appliances to our on-call staff and this is thanks to our progressive approach to managing our resources and making efficient savings.

“Providing this cutting-edge equipment, appliances and training for our staff shows our dedication to continue to strive and develop and in turn, means the residents of

Cambridgeshire will receive the best fire cover we can offer.”

The light rescue pumps provide the on-call crews with new pieces of kit to assist with road traffic collisions and rescues, which include air mats, rams, specialist stabilising equipment, an electrically operated vehicle-mounted winch and a HGV platform.

Group commander Gary Mitchley, responsible for the county’s on-call stations, added: “The investment in these new appliances and equipment for our on-call stations and personnel will, when responding to operational incidents, enhance the delivery of services to the communities they serve.”

Each new engine costs about £240,000. The fire engine currently at each station receiving a new light rescue pump will be passed through the service, used in reserve fleet or returned to the lease company.