At Sussex Transport, we take great pride in providing high-quality, safety-first crane and lifting training to a wide variety of sectors—but few are as critical and inspiring as our ongoing work with UK Fire & Rescue Services. Most recently, our Lifting & Training Manager, Andy Packham, delivered another successful ALLMI-certified lorry loader training session—this time to the team at Surrey Fire & Rescue Service, working with their specialist Unimog vehicle.
What is a Unimog?
For those unfamiliar with this powerhouse, a Unimog (short for “Universal-Motor-Gerät”) is a multi-purpose all-terrain vehicle produced by Mercedes-Benz. It’s widely respected for its off-road capability, durability, and versatility. In the case of Surrey Fire & Rescue, the Unimog is fitted with a front-mounted hydraulic crane—an invaluable tool for rescuing and lifting a variety of things including animals, vehicles, and equipment from areas such as streams, ditches, confined spaces, or otherwise inaccessible areas. Whether it’s a stranded animal in a river, a motorbike trapped in floodwaters, or equipment needing recovery, the Unimog and its crane are a vital part of Surrey’s specialist fleet.
The Training: Safety, Control and Capability
Our ALLMI training programme is designed to ensure that crane operators are fully competent, confident, and compliant with current health and safety regulations. With the Unimog’s specialist crane setup, precision and control are paramount—especially when operating in potentially life-threatening rescue scenarios.
Led by Andy, the training included:
-
Safe crane setup and pre-use checks
-
Effective use of radio remote controls
-
Understanding load limits, lifting accessories, and stability requirements
-
Practical rescue scenario-based crane operations
-
Full theoretical and practical assessment in line with ALLMI standards
Every session we deliver covers all the fundamentals but is still tailored to the real-world operational challenges the crews face. In this case, that meant training with the actual equipment they use in active service, on location, to ensure complete readiness.
Supporting Emergency Services through Expert Training
We’re incredibly proud to support Surrey Fire & Rescue, and other services including the West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service and the London Fire Brigade, with this critical training. These teams operate in some of the most challenging environments imaginable, and the importance of well-trained, knowledgeable operators can’t be overstated.
By ensuring the safe and effective use of specialist lifting equipment, we’re helping enable these frontline teams to perform their vital roles with confidence—and most importantly, keep themselves and the public safe.
Need Bespoke Crane Training for Your Team?
Our ALLMI-accredited trainers work across the UK, providing lorry loader and lifting operations training to both public and private sector clients. Whether you’re running a fleet of vehicles or operating specialist rescue equipment like the Unimog, our expert-led sessions can be tailored to your needs.
Contact us today at 0800 915 2323 or training@sussextransport.com to learn more about how we can support your team with industry-leading lifting and crane training.
