German Fire Services - Vehicles

Vehicles

Technically, there are eleven types of vehicles in service today. However, due to regional needs and availability, there are a vast number of different vehicles in use.

The eleven standardized types are:

1. Command Car/Battalion Chief; the Einsatzleitwagen (ELW). This type has 3 subtypes, KDOW, ELW1 and ELW2 with the first one usually being a "normal" car and the last one having the size of a coach
2. Small fire trucks; either the Tragkraftspritzenfahrzeug (TSF) or (TSF-W, Tragkraftspritzenfahrzeug mit Wasser with a water tank normally 500 to 750 liters), or the Kleinlöschfahrzeug (KLF). Usually modified panel truck with basic means of firefighting. Those vehicles usually have a portable fire pump with an own engine instead of a fixed one that is powered by the vehicle's engine. The names of the TSF and TSF-W are actually derived from the German term "Tragkraftspritze" which roughly translates into "portable self powered pump". Those vehicles are crewed by a German staffel (1:5), but the TSF and the TSF-W types provide enough equipment for a group (1:8).
3. Engines; the Löschgruppenfahrzeug (LF). Typically a large truck manned by a group and carrying firefighting and rescue gear, nowadays usually with a small water (ranging from 800 to 2500 liters) and foam supply (60 or 120 liters depending on the type of fire engine). Although the crew of the LF consists of a group, the larger types of this engine carry enough equipment for two groups, which often includes a second, portable fire pump.
4. Rescue Engines, the Hilfeleistungs-Löschgruppenfahrzeug (HLF). Similar to the engine (LF) but with far more rescue equipment (i.e. Jaws of Life and a winch) on board.
5. Tankers, the Tanklöschfahrzeug (TLF). Typically a large truck manned by one squad (1:2) or a German staffel (a group consisting of 1:5 (in the case of a TLF 16/25 - a TLF 16/25 with a 1600-liter/min pump and a 2500-liter water tank) and a water supply of several thousand litres). Very often they are equipped with water cannons on the roof and foam cannons.
6. Rescue trucks, the Rüstwagen (RW).Usually either a larger panel truck or a smaller truck, they are equipped with a broad range of rescue gear i.e. Jaws of Life, a winch, saws, cutters or work platforms
7. Equipment carriers, the Gerätewagen (GW). A vehicle that comes in all sizes, depending of the equipment stowed. Equipment might be specialized gear for water rescue operations or hazmat. Another variation is the Wechselladerfahrzeug (WLF) which is a specialized, heavy-duty truck WLFs and their modules used by the Cologne Fire Department with a mounted hydraulic crane arm behind the truck's cabin designed to lift heavy containers or modules (called Abrollbehälter) which contain specialized equipment (examples include mobile command modules/trailers, rescue gear modules, Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus modules, HazMat or environmental modules)
8. Ladders, like the Drehleiter (DL or DLK). A large truck with a telescopic ladder (DL), often with an attached bucket or platform at the end (DLK). The most common type is the DLK 23-12, a ladder truck with a platform that can extend to 23 metres height while positioned 12 metres away.
9. Hose Carriers, the Schlauchwagen (SW). Typically a large truck with a supply of rolled or folded and pre-coupled hoses, in case longer distances have to be bridged.
10. Crew Carrier, the Mannschaftstransportwagen (MTW). Usually a minivan or a small bus, used for non-emergency rides, organisational tours or transfer of additional personnel.
11. Ambulances, the Rettungswagen (RTW). Typically based on a delivery-truck chassis with a special body, the RTW provides pre-hospital critical care for one patient. Crew constist of two EMT-I or EMT-P, sometimes augmented by an emergency physician (only when the fire department also operates an EMS).