In Germany all full time firefighters are required to have a professional or trade qualification, which means that almost all maintenance and repairs are carried out by the same firefighters who rely on their vehicles and equipment. Major repairs are handled at workshops, which are also operated by fire service employees. Among volunteer companies, it is also normal practice to recruit volunteers who are also qualified and/or trained to maintain their vehicles and equipment, and in practice it is usual for their trucks to be exceptionally well maintained - and often kept in front line service for thirty or even forty years.
Added by Rob Johnson on 15 May 2026.