Mike, May i ask if your name is Tindal ?, the Head Fireman/Security had that name, i worked at Shaftmoor Lane from 1961 to 1989.Until about 1980 most of Birmingham's larger factory's had an internal fire brigade. My Father was the Senior Officer and head of security at Joseph Lucas from 1946 until he retired about 1977.
There was an organisation called The Birmingham Private Fire Brigades Association. All of the factories were members. This organisation organised ( among other things ) an annual competion between the factory brigades.
Until his death my Father was the President of the organisation.
When I can get into the loft I will ( if I did not dump them when I moved ) sort out some Photos of some of these competitions.
I was a regular visitor to Cape Hill in the 1960s and 70s. They had an impressive fire fighting set-up, several vintage appliances and the Station Officer was permanent full-time. Everything sparkled magnificently. They were first call out within 1 mile, or maybe 1/2 mile, of the brewery. Once I stumbled on them fighting a house fire, having beaten the City brigade by some considerable time.
From 1964 till 1973 I was a member of the Triplex factory fire brigade in Kings Norton, we were volunteers and worked in the factory, upon hearing the fire alarm we all attended the incident, the fire tender was driven by whoever was nearest the station to the job.
At weekends we attended competitions at various factory sportsgrounds around the birmingham area, and ran out hoses and jets to strike targets, we manhandled trailor pumps and suction hoses into position, it was all good fun, the best teams took home the bruises and trophies at the end of the day.
The Birmingham and District Fire Brigades Association organised these get togethers as well as fire training courses held at Morris Commercial at Drews lane on sunday mornings, we studied fire theory, pump drills etc, breathing apperatus wearing and use training was done at Birmingham fire service headquarters.
They were great times, it was an enjoyable experience, all the hard training after our shifts finished kept us fit and agile, ready for the next time the bells went down.
After leaving the Triplex I joined the fire team fulltime at a large car factory near Birmingham from 1973 till 1983, thats another good load of memories.
As a matter of interest.The Morris LD fort Dunlop ambulance has been preserved and is part of the collection of the ambulanceheritagesociety.com based in Mansfield
My father worked at the Land Rover Solihull for around 30 years, he tells a tale of their Fire Service who had a Land Rover Fire Engine it was called out to an incident inside the works one day. As it headed towards the fire the brakes failed, the engine and I expect crew, went sailing into the heart of the fire! Not the best advert for one of their own products!