Fire Engines Photos

This opened-up view of a fairly new Berlin volunteer station's LHF shows three characteristic features of most German pumpers.

1- The pull-out rotating casette for three 30 minute CA breathing sets. These are positioned immediately behind the crew cab and are at just about the ideal height for the average firefighter to don quickly. Many newer pumps have two or more sets in rear seat backrest frames, as is common in other countries, but this system is still employed for remaining crew members. It has been in use for decades and German firefighters are very adept when it comes to using it.

2- The short transverse suction hose stowage. German fire services have long preferred several short lengths of suction hose - usually six two-meter long pieces as in this example. It adds flexibility, and they are short enough to be stored across the body, above the pump. They are also stored in a pull out and drop-down rack for easy unloading.

3- The light alloy hose baskets. These are designed to carry either two 20 meter lengths of 75mm hose, which is used interchangably for hydrant supply or attack, or three 15 meter lengths of 52mm attack hose. One man can carry two baskets, which makes for a rapid hose lay, especially if the lay has to go around corners and/or up staircases. Although every German pumper has a high pressure hose reel, these are rarely relied on at anything other than nuisance fires, so rapid deployment of the 45mm line is critical.

Added by Rob Johnson on 20 August 2014.

Rob is the 75MM racked hose single lined or unlined hose?

Added by Les Davis on 22 August 2014.

All urban pumpers carry lined hose. Unlined small diameter hoses are carried on brush units and some water tenders which are used at vegetation fires.

Added by Rob Johnson on 26 August 2018.

Thank you Rob!

Added by Leslie Davis on 29 August 2018.

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