These trucks carry general purpose rescue equipment, including forcible entry, extrication, collapse, high angle and water rescue, as well as materials for initial hazmat interventions. They also have lighting and in some cases ventilation and/or other locally specified gear too. They are usually equipped with a front mounted winch, as depicted here. There are three levels of equipment, but the universal adoption of rescue pumpers has reduced the numbers of level 1 trucks, while both RW2 and 3 are still very common, as they carry more comprehensive equipment.
Normally, these units have a standard cab, but RW3 with crew cabs are to be found, most notably in Berlin. German fire services also operate dedicated specialized rescue units at many fire stations, as well as technical rescue containers for major interventions and many trailers with boats for water rescues.
Normally, these units have a standard cab, but RW3 with crew cabs are to be found, most notably in Berlin. German fire services also operate dedicated specialized rescue units at many fire stations, as well as technical rescue containers for major interventions and many trailers with boats for water rescues.
Added by Rob Johnson on 17 March 2021.