Oxford 1:76 Ford Transit Connect: Cork City Fire Brigade, Ireland

The Ford Transit Connect is a compact panel van developed by Ford Europe. It is built on a dedicated commercial vehicle platform and shares parts with the Ford Focus. The first generation was designed by Peter Horbury and introduced in 2002 to replace the older Ford Escort and Fiesta-based Courier van ranges, which had ceased production in the same year. It has been imported to the North American market since the 2010 model year. In North America, the Transit Connect does not have a direct predecessor; the closest vehicle to its size was the standard-length Ford Aerostar cargo van, which ceased production in 1997.

The Cork City Fire Brigade (Irish: Briogáid Dóiteáin Chathair Chorcaí) is the local authority fire and rescue service for Cork City and its surrounding suburbs. It is a branch of Cork City Council. There are currently three fire stations in use by Cork City Fire Brigade; two of which are full-time. Cork City Fire Brigade is staffed by 153 active personnel, making it the second-biggest fire service in Ireland after the Dublin Fire Brigade.

In addition to its main purpose of firefighting, the Cork City Fire Brigade also deals with floods, road traffic collisions, trapped-in-lift releases, and other incidents such as those involving hazardous materials, major transport accidents and medical emergencies. It also conducts emergency planning in conjunction with other emergency services such as the Garda Síochána and performs fire safety inspections and education. It does not provide an ambulance service as this function is carried out in Cork City by the HSE National Ambulance Service, but since 2013 CCFB have taken on a medical role responding to all cardiac arrests in the Cork City area.[citation needed] All firefighters are trained to PHECC Emergency First Responder level and all of its fire engines carry first aid equipment including advanced airways and defibrillators.