Watch our video on the Frankfurt fire brigade and the MAN fleet here or on YouTube
Around Frankfurt in a city fire brigade ambulance
Frankfurt’s ambulances see a whole 48,136 runs a year. The Frankfurt fire brigade, which includes ambulance services, is one of the largest and most powerful in Germany. Every second counts in a medical emergency. This means not only dedicated people but also reliable equipment. The fleet includes ambulances based on the MAN TGE platform.
“The ambulance has to get both me and my patient wherever we need to go safe and sound,” says Philipp. Philipp has been at the Frankfurt Fire Brigade for two years; he recently started driving ambulances based on the MAN TGE platform. “The steering wheel is smaller and more direct,” he says. “It feels more like a car.” If there’s one thing that matters to the 31-year-old, it’s that the equipment has to provide support without distraction. Finja also knows the importance of a reliable vehicle; at 24, she’s in her third year as a paramedic. “The equipment has to work right away, and it also has to keep working throughout the shift.” Breaks are rare. “We never make it back to base during a busy shift. We’re in the vehicle all the time.” Her secret: “You have to keep hydrated, and have coffee with you.”
Jobs on wheels
An ambulance is more than just a means of transport for the emergency services. “The vehicle is our rolling workplace, and it’s also a secured environment,” says Finja. “I often try to get patients right into the ambulance. That’s where I have a tidy and familiar working area.” Consistent vehicle equipment plays a crucial role. “All our vehicles are built the same way so we can find everything quickly in time-critical situations.” Thorsten Jung, amongst others, is responsible for ensuring this. The municipal fire service officer is responsible for vehicle procurement. “The crews need to be completely familiar with each vehicle, even after switching from one to another.”
A fleet to save lives
The decision for the MAN TGE platform took some consideration. The Frankfurt fire brigade has around 450 vehicles ranging from rescue cranes to fireboats in the city’s fleet. Seventy-five vehicles are from MAN, including 25 special-purpose vehicles based on the MAN TGE platform. “The engines need a bit of power as we will go above the speed limit on occasion,” says Thorsten. The fleet’s versatility reflects the challenges of a large city, but also provides variety in firefighting routine. “We face challenging situations early on and learn to take responsibility,” says Finja. Philipp remembers the first birth he assisted in on scene without an emergency doctor present: “I still know the family today, and I write birthday cards.” It is exactly this mixture of equipment, responsibility, and the human touch that defines the profession – at least if you ask Thorsten. “Work sometimes brings out the inner child in you. That’s why I always get here with a smile on my face.”
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6