Volvo FL6, L81 RTP

This appliance is a Volvo FL6 turntable ladder, originally built in 1994 and supplied new to Hampshire Fire Brigade. The vehicle was fitted with an aerial ladder, allowing firefighters to reach upper floors of buildings during rescues, firefighting operations, and inspections.

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Turntable ladders such as this were an essential part of the brigade’s fleet, particularly in areas with taller or historic buildings where access from the ground was difficult. The rotating ladder could be raised high above street level and positioned precisely to rescue casualties or provide an elevated water stream.

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Registration L81 RTP served with Hampshire for many years and was based at stations including Winchester and later Southsea, supporting operational incidents across the county. The vehicle cab was specially built lower than standard, so it could fit under the arch at the Cathedral. 

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The Volvo FL6 chassis was widely used by UK fire services during the 1990s, valued for its reliability, strong ladder carrying capacity, and good manoeuvrability in urban environments. After its operational service ended, L81 RTP continued its life in preservation, helping to represent the important role of aerial appliances in modern firefighting.