World War Two Trailer Pump, Dennis No. 2. This was grey for camouflage and carried canvas hose pipes and a white suction hose that sucked water into the pump through the wide filter.
The Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS) set up fire stations in buildings such as schools and garages. Members of the AFS were given basic uniforms and worked with pumping units, such as trailer pumps. These would be towed by a vehicle like a taxi and painted grey.
Sometimes London’s firemen would go to other areas of the country to provide assistance, but working alongside other fire brigades was not easy. There was confusion over who was in control, equipment used by different brigades was often incompatible and each brigade had different rules and regulations.
The organisation of the fire services throughout the country needed to be unified and in 1941 the National Fire Service (NFS) took over.
A shortage of AFS uniforms meant that many worked in postmen's outfits.
Before the Blitz, the AFS were nicknamed 'army dodgers' as there was little work for them to do.
