08-05-2025
International fire service photographers visit Louth's five fire stations
John Godwin, the UK-based managing editor, and Jean-Paul Heyens, a European correspondent based in Belgium recently toured the county's fire stations. The pair contribute to a global website that documents the history, development, and operational use of fire and rescue vehicles in over 100 countries. Each year, members of their team visit different fire services across the world in pursuit of their hobby, to showcase their respective fire fleets and the great work undertaken by firefighters.
The photographers were particularly impressed by two preserved vintage fire engines, the Albion/Merryweather pump escapes housed in Drogheda and Dundalk Fire Stations. These historic appliances were originally deployed during the Belfast Blitz in April 1941.
Managing editor John Godwin said: 'We are grateful for the assistance of Joe Lumsden and for the warm welcome we received at each of Louth's fire stations. It has been a fantastic opportunity to photograph Louth County Council Fire and Rescue Service's various fire vehicles and rescue equipment, as well as the two vintage Albion/Merryweather pump escapes, both of which were deployed during the Belfast Blitz in April 1941.'
'We look forward to sharing these new photographs on our website over the coming weeks, which will help to promote Louth's fire and rescue capabilities to firefighters and enthusiasts around the world,' Godwin added.
Joe Lumsden, Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer, said: 'We were delighted to welcome John and Jean-Paul to our fire stations recently. Their commitment to recording fire service fleets around the world will be invaluable to historians in the years to come. From our perspective, it was great that they were able to capture our two preserved Merryweather fire appliances, which we are particularly proud of. They represent an important piece of Louth's fire service heritage.'
The new photographs will soon be published at offering a global audience a closer look at Louth's modern and vintage fire service.
