Briggs & Stratton’s Vanguard® engines elevate Godiva’s next generation of fire & rescue pumps
Godiva, a long-established British specialist in fire pump engineering, supplies emergency services across the world with portable and vehicle-mounted solutions designed to perform reliably under the most demanding conditions. With a reputation built on technical expertise and practical, field-driven innovation, the company continually seeks to enhance the capability and usability of the equipment that frontline crews depend on.
When Godiva embarked on the development of its next generation of portable fire pumps, the requirements placed on the machines had never been higher. Firefighters working in remote or infrastructure-poor regions rely on pumps that can be carried quickly into position, started without hesitation and trusted to deliver sustained performance under pressure. Meeting these expectations while keeping the equipment lightweight demanded a careful balance of engineering precision and dependable power. A decisive factor in this process was the choice of the engine supplier. Godiva assessed several options, prioritising reliability, serviceability and the capability to support operators globally.
Briggs & Stratton’s Vanguard brand distinguished itself through its reputation for commercial-grade durability, compact design and a global support network that aligned with Godiva’s commitment to long-term operational readiness. The collaboration took shape around a shared aim: to equip emergency services with powerful, practical and highly resilient portable pumps.
This partnership is embodied most clearly in the Blaze Warrior 10/10, Godiva’s flagship ultra-lightweight pump powered by the Vanguard 40 HP V-Twin horizontal shaft EFI/ETC engine featuring a unique internal spline crank shaft option. The Blaze Warrior has been engineered to deliver exceptional waterflow with a rated performance of 1,000 litres per minute at 10 bar, while remaining compact and easy to deploy. Integrating such performance into a portable format required an engine that combined strength, efficiency and reliability without imposing additional weight or complexity.
“Briggs & Stratton’s Vanguard engines are well suited to the requirements of our demanding pump applications. Their products have earned their strong reputation and market presence in the fire and rescue sector for good reason. They deliver the reliability, performance and readiness that our customers expect in the field."
Guy Jackson, Product Manager at Godiva
High output when it matters most
The adoption of Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) and Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) technology was particularly significant for this model. Together, these systems support consistent power delivery and maintain stable engine performance, even when operating under variable load conditions typical of open-water pumping. Their contribution enhances the responsiveness and overall capability of the Blaze Warrior, helping it maintain high output when it matters most.
Reflecting on the fit between the engine and the pump, Mark Kerr, OEM Sales Manager UK for Briggs & Stratton, remarks: “EFI and ETC elevate the performance of the 40 HP engine even further. For a pump like the Blaze Warrior, which is designed to deliver high output with absolute reliability, these technologies provide a clear operational advantage.”
Alongside the Blaze Warrior, Godiva also deployed Vanguard engines in the PowerFlow 8/5 Single and Twin Discharge pumps, powered by the Vanguard 18 HP horizontal shaft engine with integrated fuel tank. As with the 40 HP unit, the engines’ compact architecture and dependable performance supported Godiva’s objective of creating portable pumps that are robust, easy to handle and simple to maintain.
For Godiva, the collaboration with Vanguard has enabled the development of a pump range that combines practical handling with high-level performance. Fire crews benefit from rapid deployment, reliable starting behaviour and strong water delivery capabilities, even in remote or challenging conditions. Extended service intervals, 3 years commercial warranty and the global availability of parts further strengthen operational continuity for emergency services operating internationally.
Summarising the cooperation, Guy Jackson, Product Manager at Godiva, notes: “Briggs & Stratton’s Vanguard engines are well suited to the requirements of our demanding pump applications. Their products have earned their strong reputation and market presence in the fire and rescue sector for good reason. They deliver the reliability, performance and readiness that our customers expect in the field.”
The combined strengths of Godiva’s pump engineering and Vanguard’s power solutions highlight how effective collaboration can advance the standards of portable firefighting equipment. The Blaze Warrior stands as a clear example of this partnership in action: a compact, high-performance pump designed to support firefighters whenever rapid, reliable water delivery is critical.
Godiva Blaze Warrior 10/10
Godiva Blaze Warrior 10/10
Built for rapid deployment and reliable operation in high-pressure situations
SEE ALL DETAILSDownload this case study
Sign up here to receive additional information and updates about Vanguard products, and gain access to clear PDF versions of all our case studies.
TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT
Supporting our customers
The right power solution.
Tough. Long lasting. Commercial grade.
