SPECIALIST emergency vehicles designed for off-road incidents have been showcased during a live demonstration in Kilmarnock.
The event was held at council headquarters, where members gathered to view two Police Scotland quad bikes and an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS).
Councillor Graham Barton, chair of the East Ayrshire Police Fire and Rescue Committee, said: "We are grateful for our emergency services colleagues for giving us this rare opportunity to see these vehicles up close.
"East Ayrshire is a very rural location, and it is reassuring to know that we have specialist vehicles at our disposal to allow officers to respond quickly and safely to incidents in rural and otherwise challenging environments."
The SFRS ATV is part of ongoing investment in new fleet for East, North and South Ayrshire and will be based at Kilwinning Fire Station.
Designed for rough terrain and hard-to-reach locations, the vehicle is equipped with a water tank, pump, fogging unit, gas-powered burning torches, leaf blowers, hand cutting tools, and a rescue board.
Police Scotland’s quad bikes have supported some of the council’s own enforcement initiatives in areas such as rural crimes (poaching, fly-tipping, livestock worrying, and plant/fuel thefts).
They are also used to tackle anti-social behaviour, including vandalism, underage drinking, drug use, and illegal off-road motorcycling.
The quad bikes give officers better access to remote areas such as Loch Doon and Cairn Table in Muirkirk, improving community engagement in rural settings.
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