Fire Engines Photos

Econics are rarely operated with crew cabs, as the set back engine location pushes the crew seats rather far towards the back of the truck...But Copenhagen does have a rescue squad truck with a crew cab; it replaced a Vario and has a short body, and these Hanover pumps also seem to have a rather small central locker for the same reason.

Note the single rear wheels - unusual except on four wheel steering aerials and some 4X4s. Another more common feature is the chassis mounted power winch, with only the loop protruding from the front bumper. There is some footage of these in action at a garage fire on the outskirts of the city on Youtube, but it appears they may have had to travel too far to achieve much of a save...

Added by Rob Johnson on 28 December 2020.

Hannover specified two of these and operated them as prototypes to "get the bugs out" for around 60,000 km before buying sixteen in 2015. In addition to the rear steering feature these 18 ton Econics had a number of unique features including a 3000 LPM roof monitor - which is not a common feature on German rescue pumpers. Unfortunately these are not visible in this photo, nor is the extra capacity hose cart, which made up for the restricted locker space. What can be seen, however, is the two section 9 meter extension ladder instead of the more usual three section 12 meter ladder, which would have increased the vehicles' overall height...

Hannover, population 537,000, has 6 full time and 17 volunteer fire stations, with around 800 full time firefighters and 750 unpaid volunteers. Most of the other rescue pumps and water tenders are with the volunteers and are on MAN chassis.

Like most German full time city fire brigades, Hannover is also one of the city's first response EMS agencies, operating two or more ambulances out of each full time station in addition to two rescue pumps, an aerial, a command van and a selection of special purpose units. The volunteers have no EMS role.

Added by Rob Johnson on 29 December 2020.

Following Hannover's adoption of these rather unusual Econic rescue pumpers, a few have started to appear among Czech fire services and some can be seen on the run and in action on Youtube.

Added by Rob Johnson on 10 January 2021.

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