Fire chiefs in Scotland have invested in a new fleet of 17 Mercedes-Benz vans.

The new vans are all Citan 109 CDI models with long bodies and are assigned to fire prevention duties.

They are used by officers who carry out risk assessments of commercial and public buildings, deliver safety demonstrations, and undertake door-to-door smoke alarm inspections in residential areas. They may also be called into action to support front-line fire appliances at major incidents.

The vans were supplied to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS)  by Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles Aberdeen and are being maintained by the dealer’s service team, as well as in other workshops run by its parent company, TOM.

Scott Roberts, fleet manager for SFRS, said: “These are our first Citans but I know from experience that Mercedes-Benz vans are extremely reliable.

“We trialled vehicles in the same class from all of the main manufacturers and the quality and specification of the Citans were in a different league to their competitors.

“We were equally impressed with the attentive service we received from MBCV Aberdeen, and the extensive back-up network offered by T.O.M.”

He added: “The delivery of these vehicles to SFRS sites across Scotland was handled very professionally and the supplier’s network of workshop sites, all with long opening hours, means we have support where and when we need it.”