The “Marine” division of the Stem company of Medesano (Pr) has won a major tender to supply no less than 14 vessels for the Italian Fire Brigade fleet or the so called firefighters. The first five units have already been delivered and are operational.
Firefighters or so called the Italian Fire Brigade is one of the most authoritative and valuable intervention corps in a country. Probably also the one best known and appreciated by ordinary citizens who, as the daily news reports testify, often witness live the ‘feats’ of these brave men who are always ready to take the field in emergency situations, on land as well as in water. After all, it is the high level of professionalism, the level of training and the operational efficiency of the ‘fire brigade’ personnel that is the real key factor in these wide-ranging rescuers. As is the technological quality of the equipment and land and naval means they employ in their work.
For these reasons, it is a source of particular pride for Stem, a leading Italian company in the market for water and land rescue equipment and means of transport, to support the activities of the Fire Brigade, in Italy and abroad, with its innovative solutions. As far as Italy is concerned, in 2023 Stem won a major order to build a fleet of no less than 14 boats for the Italian Fire Brigade.
Photo Credit: Giulio Rossi
Stem Marine’s first 5 units already delivered and operational
The new contract, negotiated with the National Directorate of the Fire Brigade Department or so called firefighters (part of the Ministry of the Interior), is worth approximately EUR 12.26 million. It could in the future be extended to a further 16 vessels of the same type.
In recent months, Stem’s ‘Marine’ division has already built and delivered the first 5 units for the National Fire Brigade’s activities in ports, on the open sea and in inland waters of the Peninsula. Boats are currently already operational on Lake Maggiore (Piedmont-Lombardy), in Cagliari (Sardinia), in Trieste (Friuli Venezia Giulia) and in Savona (Liguria).
Photo Credit: Giulio Rossi
Stem boats already deployed by the French fire brigade, the firefighters
As for the type of boats supplied by Stem Marine to the Italian fire brigade or so called firefighters, this is specifically the Stem 12 Fire/Rescue. A multi-purpose cabin boat intended for patrol, rescue and fire-fighting activities. This vessel is part of Stem Marine’s current catalogue. However, as is always the case in the Medesano (Pr) company, it has been modified and customised to the specific needs of our fire brigades.
The same had happened in previous years with the fleet of StemTen and 750 Fire/Rescue supplied by Stem Marine to the Sapeurs Pompiers and Securitè Civile of France. It has been used also in the Principality of Monaco and still regularly deployed in the cities of Paris (on the Seine), Bordeaux and Marseille.
To read more about the Sapeurs Pompiers, visit the blog post on The Marine Blog!
Photo Credit: Giulio Rossi
Stem 12 Fire/Rescue, an extraordinary and versatile boat for firefighters
In detail, the Stem 12 Fire/Rescue is a 12.65 metre long, 3.70 metre wide motorboat equipped with two 570 hp hydrojet engines. The engines are able to propel the boat to a maximum speed of 37 knots. The extensively reinforced hull structure is composed of GRP and Kevlar® with vinylester resin, and the hull itself is moulded using infusion technology. Automatic anti-roll and anti-pitch systems installed on board make the boat stable even in rough sea conditions. In addition, the dynamic positioning system keeps the unit automatically on a set point.
The fire-fighting system on board the Stem 12 Fire/Rescue includes a 250 hp motor-pump, independent of the engines, capable of delivering 4,800 litres. per minute (at 10 bar) of water sucked from the sea. As well as a servo-assisted bow cannon that reaches a distance of about 65 metres from the vessel. In addition, there are two 200-litre tanks each for the foaming liquid. The vessel is capable of carrying up to 10 people and is equipped with the most sophisticated instrumentation to help the firefighters. For example, night vision, sonar scan, radar, harp and stabilised thermal scan camera. Lastly, it has dual helm controls and a joystick that allows manoeuvring with millimetric precision in tight spaces.
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Stem Marine, a pioneering company with high standards
Boats used by professional operators, such as the fire brigade, are no ordinary vehicles and must comply with strict safety criteria and standards. “This important commitment with the Italian fire brigade,” explains Ezio Menna, Stem’s president, “is based on an evolution of the ‘StemTen Fire Rescue’ class. It has already been used abroad, with a high-performance multifunctional product made to the specifications indicated by the national tender. There are also two strengths of our company that rescue teams, such as fire brigades, particularly appreciate. One is the after-sales service. It allows us to constantly follow up on our customers with a dedicated team whose aim is to ensure timely interventions. The other is the work carried out strictly in synergy with the customer right from the design phase, with continuous comparison to match operational needs and technical solutions”.
The order from the Italian ‘firemen’ is an important confirmation for Stem Marine. “We are actively engaged in the awarding of the other phase of the tender, which involves the construction of the other 16 units, “Ezio Menna continues, “In the meantime, we are very satisfied with the positive feedback our work has received so far.
Photo Credit: Giulio Rossi
