Hazardous Area Response Teams (HART) play a critical role in responding to major incidents, particularly those involving hazardous materials, collapsed structures, or high-risk environments where conventional ambulance services cannot operate safely. To enhance operational capability and improve safety, in 2024, a new fleet of over 60 HART vehicles has been equipped with advanced lighting and surveillance systems.
Woodway’s Night Owl mast systems have been installed onto each ambulance, providing essential lighting and real-time situational awareness for HART teams working in challenging environments. The vehicles, built by specialist converter WAS Germany, have been deployed nationwide as part of a new, nationally agreed fleet specification.
The Need for Advanced Emergency Response Vehicles
HART teams operate in some of the most demanding conditions, requiring vehicles equipped with specialist technology to support their work. The new fleet needed to meet the following requirements:
- Enhanced Visibility in Hazardous Environments – Responding to chemical spills, major road traffic accidents, and collapsed buildings requires high-performance scene lighting to ensure safe operations, often in low-light conditions.
- Real-Time Situational Awareness – The ability to monitor incidents from a distance and assess risks before deploying personnel is crucial for safety and coordination.
- Rapid Deployment and Reliable Operation – Equipment must be quick to set up, simple to operate, and capable of functioning in extreme conditions without failure.
- Integrated and Non-Intrusive Design – The technology had to be integrated seamlessly into the ambulance fleet without compromising vehicle performance or internal space.
To meet these needs, a bespoke conversion was essential – integrating specialist CCTV, lighting, power, and communications technology into a fully functional surveillance hub.
The Night Owl Mast Systems Solution
To meet these challenges, each HART vehicle was fitted with two Night Owl mast systems: the Night Owl Classic and the Night Owl Vision.
The Night Owl Classic is a high-powered, extendable scene lighting mast designed to illuminate hazardous sites, providing clear visibility for responders working in dangerous environments. With its rapid deployment capability, it ensures emergency teams have the lighting they need exactly when and where they need it.
The Night Owl Vision is a rugged, roof-mounted mast, complete with high-definition, thermal Predator Camera from 360 Vision. This system enables teams to monitor incidents in real-time, offering remote viewing capabilities and secure video transmission to command centres from Veracity . By providing clear situational awareness, it allows for better coordination and decision-making in high-pressure scenarios.
Both mast systems integrate seamlessly with the vehicle’s electrical setup, operating without the need for additional power sources. This ensures consistent performance in all conditions while maintaining the vehicle’s efficiency and reliability.
WAS Germany also fitted the ambulances with a range of Whelen lighting supplied by Woodway, including:
- 2250 lightbars
- ION Universal lightheads
- ION V-Series lightheads
- M-Series lightheads
These additions enhance visibility and operational efficiency, ensuring the vehicles are fully equipped for emergency response scenarios.
Impact and Benefits
The introduction of the new HART fleet has significantly improved operational capabilities. Bright scene lighting enhances safety by reducing risks in hazardous environments, allowing responders to work with greater confidence. The surveillance mast provides a real-time overview of incidents, supporting informed decision-making by command teams and ensuring that responders are deployed as effectively as possible.
Rapid mast deployment and retraction allow teams to set up and move quickly, which is essential in high-pressure emergency situations. The durability of both systems ensures reliable performance, even in the most extreme conditions, making them a vital addition to the HART fleet.
By combining cutting-edge surveillance technology with a purpose-built vehicle conversion, Woodway has delivered a solution that supports intelligence-led policing – helping to create safer communities across Nottinghamshire.
“The Night Owl systems have been designed to enhance emergency response operations, and their deployment on the HART fleet is a perfect example of how technology can improve safety and efficiency. With high-powered lighting and advanced surveillance capabilities, these vehicles are now better equipped to handle the most challenging incidents.”– Paul Henson, Sales Director, Woodway
The success of this integration highlights the importance of reliable lighting and surveillance in specialist emergency response vehicles. Woodway remains committed to supporting emergency services with innovative solutions, adapting to evolving operational requirements to ensure first responders have the best tools available.