Fire chiefs in Scotland have bought a new fleet of 17 fuel-efficient Mercedes-Benz Citan small vans to help spread important safety messages.

The new vans are all 90 hp Citan 109 CDI models with Long bodies and 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.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) Fleet Manager Scott Roberts 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 was in a different league from their competitors.'

They were supplied to the SFRS by Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles Aberdeen and are being maintained by the dealer's service team and other workshops run by its parent company.

'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,' added Mr Roberts.