West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service Trusts Rossetts Again with Vital Fleet Upgrade

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service has once again chosen Rossetts Commercials Mercedes-Benz as their trusted vehicle dealer, taking delivery of three brand-new Mercedes-Benz Vito panel vans for their dedicated Hydrant Team.

Headed up by Ian Stocks, alongside Ian Sinfield and Steve Toney, the Hydrant Team plays a vital role in safeguarding the community. They are responsible for maintaining around 20,000 fire hydrants across West Sussex - ensuring that when emergencies arise, fire crews can access essential water supplies quickly and without delay.

The day-to-day tasks of the Hydrant Team include visiting hydrants, clearing away debris and tarmac, checking water pressure, and marking roads with the recognisable “H” hydrant sign. Though not always in the spotlight, their work is critical in ensuring firefighters have the resources they need the moment a 999 call comes in.

Much like the Hydrant Team itself, the Mercedes-Benz Vito vans they rely on are designed to be dependable, efficient, and ready for action. The vehicles are serviced and supported by our local Rossetts Mercedes-Benz dealerships, conveniently located throughout the county. This ensures that West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service can keep their fleet in prime condition, carrying out their essential duties without interruption.

These new vehicles replace the previous fleet of Vitos, also supplied by Rossetts Commercials back in 2016. The decision to return to Rossetts underlines the trust and strong partnership built over the years, with both organisations committed to supporting the communities of West Sussex.

The vans have been further enhanced by Auto Solutions Limited, specialists in bespoke storage and racking solutions. Their team fitted the vehicles with lightweight yet durable Bott racking, additional bulkheads, and hygienic van lining to create fully optimised work areas. Added LED lighting ensures the vans are operational in all conditions, while highway-compliant warning lights safeguard the team when working roadside.

To celebrate this handover, we’ve created a short video featuring our Sales Executive, Martin, who organised the sale and handovers, alongside Ian Stocks (Water and Access Manager) and Ian Sinfield (Firefighter) from the West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service Hydrant Team. In the video, they walk us through the transformed vehicles and demonstrate the specialised equipment fitted to support their vital work across the county.

We are proud to once again support West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service as they continue their essential work across the county. Our thanks go to the Hydrant Team for their commitment and to Auto Solutions Limited for their expert craftsmanship in preparing these vehicles for service.

At Rossetts Commercials Mercedes-Benz, we’re proud to support organisations across our community with reliable vehicles and dedicated aftersales care. To find out how we can help your business or service, please get in touch with our team.