Marechal has launched a mains supply disconnector for fire vehicles.

The Rettbox has been designed to immediately disconnect a fire engine from the electricity supply should an alarm to scramble be raised.

It has been used for ambulances, police cars and first-response and airport vehicles as well as fire engines.

A spokesman said: "With Rettbox, when the driver turns on the ignition key to his fire appliance, the supply cable immediately ejects from its coupling and disconnects the supply.The system improves safety by preventing damage to a cable inadvertently left connected when a vehicle rapidly exits in an emergency, ensuring that fire fighters get to an incident as quickly as possible.

"When the vehicle has left and the cable has been disconnected, the connection remains protected as the whole Rettbox system seals against water and dust."

The Rettbox comprises an insulated glass fibre reinforced polyester housing, a self-closing stainless steel lid, and a male coupling with silver-nickel butt contacts.

A variant of the tool, dubbed Rettbox-air,offers both power and compressed air supplies, which are simultaneously disconnected on ignition.

The enclosure is supplied pre-cabled and "ready for installation".