west mids fred handover 1

West Midlands Fire Service Enhances Water Rescue Capabilities with New FReD Fast Rescue Device

Last week, we were proud to deliver a FReD (Fast Rescue Device) to West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) as they look to enhance their water rescue capabilities. This purchase is part of an initial trial, with the potential for a larger rollout across MOD2 stations in the future.

Our UK Business Development Manager, Stuart Cheetham, met with Stephen Grice and Adrian Whitehouse at WMFS headquarters in Birmingham to officially hand over the device.

WMFS previously put FReD through rigorous testing in October, trialling it in various challenging rescue scenarios – including use with drones and towing a raft. Now, with the device on station, they will continue assessing its real-world impact on operational rescues.

Stephen Grice shared his thoughts on the purchase, stating,

“We’re excited to trial FReD over the next few months and see how it can help transform our water rescue capabilities.”

This sale follows a recent handover to Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, where FReD was praised for its durability and effectiveness in fast-moving water incidents. With growing adoption among UK fire and rescue services, FReD is proving to be a vital tool for modern water rescue operations.

We look forward to seeing FReD in action at WMFS and will be sharing footage from their October trials soon!

Interested in how FReD can support your water rescue operations? Contact us today for a free demonstration.

Recent News

Ruth Lee Photo of the Year 2024 As Voted By You!

We are excited to announce the winner of this year’s Ruth Lee's Photo of the Year competition, an annual celebration of the dedication and skill of rescue professionals worldwide. This year’s competition saw outstanding submissions from across the globe, each...

Ruth Lee Volunteer Heroes Fund 2025: Applications Now Open

We’re proud to announce the relaunch of the Ruth Lee Volunteer Heroes for 2025! This program is our way of giving back to the incredible volunteer rescue teams that dedicate their time and expertise to keeping our communities safe. What is the Volunteer Heroes Fund?...

A new era for Ruth Lee Ltd as we join the Protect Medical Group

Ruth Lee Ltd is excited to announce that we have joined the Protect Medical Group, marking an important step in our company history. As a world-leader in the design and manufacture of manikins for training within the rescue, health and safety sectors, we are keen to...

A new era for training – your manikin brought to life through a lens!

Ruth Lee Ltd introduces the latest innovation for rescue training, RL360 - an exciting new mixed reality training tool which brings training, and manikins to life! As a world-leading manufacturer of rescue training manikins, which has grown to be an established brand...

Need help deciding which manikin is right for you?
We’re here to help