Case Studies
31. January 2012

Brecon Mountain Rescue

In November 2011, after meetings with other vehicle converters, Brecon Mountain Rescue team approached bott’s Specialist Vehicles team to discuss the conversion of a flagship forward command unit.

Following a subsequent site visit to bott’s Ashby premises and a presentation by the Specialist Vehicles team highlighting bott’s skillsets and service levels, we were selected as the preferred supplier.

This fully integrated high specification build was managed by the Specialist Vehicles team in close conjunction with Brecon Mountain Rescue to ensure that all the working requirements were met and that the conversion stayed within the payload restrictions of the base vehicle.

Throughout the development and installation stages, close attention was paid to the challenging weight limitations of the vehicle, so much so that the vehicle actually came in under the anticipated weight, thanks to the engineering department and the respective members of the Specialist Vehicle installation team.

The final conversion has been engineered to conform to all the required regulatory standards from the NICEIC, Gas Safe and VOSA, and comprises a main control area and a rear equipment storage/refreshment area, equipped with:

  • full VHF and Tetra radio communications equipment
  • onboard PC network
  • audiovisual briefing functionality
  • centralised electrical controls
  • diesel powered heating
  • M1 seating installation
  • gas-fired catering facilities
  • rear door mounted telescopic aerial mast
  • full vehicle conspicuity livery
  • external blue light and siren system

Challenging weight limitations

brecon_van_inside_van.jpg

The forward command unit represents a significant investment for Brecon Mountain Rescue, with the completed vehicle costing £33,500.

Having now taken delivery of the vehicle, the crew are extremely pleased with the level of service, engineering and quality of finish that they have received throughout the project as demonstrated by the following statement from the rescue team leader Nigel Dawson.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and all the team at Bott for the sterling work you have done on the conversion of our VW Crafter."

Forward command unit

brecon_van_inside_side.jpg

"We started this process by selecting three potential companies to tender for the work that we required and subsequently arranged site visits to all. On arriving at your Leicestershire depot it was clear to me that this was a substantial and professional outfit, and this immediately filled me with confidence. We then were welcomed and introduced to both Andy and Adrian and were given a presentation about the company and shown around the facility. This was conducted in a very relaxed way and nothing was too much trouble."

"Having visited the two other companies I was in no doubt as to who was going to get the contract for our work, knowing that we were going to spend in excess of £30,000 of charitable money."

Professional outfit

brecon_van.jpg

"Right throughout the process from first draft drawings to final signoff was a painless journey, and this was a credit to you as at every decision point I was constantly kept in the loop and, being in business myself, I know this is paramount."

"The end result was outstanding… It was everything and more, the build quality and finish is second to none and all my members are equally impressed. The van has already been put to good use as we have had two shouts already and I'm glad to report everything worked as it should have."

"Once again thank you all for the time and effort you have put into our project and I will certainly be recommending Bott to all other teams."

- Nigel Dawson, Team Leader Brecon Mountain Rescue.