German fire services almost always provide EMS coverage, along with the German Red Cross, St John and other private, charity and volunteer organizations.
The “Notartz” is literally an emergency physician, and most towns and cities operate one or more units dedicated to transporting him or her to incidents.
Originally, they had a passenger car or small estate car in fire service red with a fire service driver and room for the traditional doctor’s bag and not much else.
But of course they are now much more sophisticated and carry much more medical equipment, so the unit has grown - and also become much more colorful too!
These are however not designed to transport patients. That job is still for a traditional ambulance, but as in other countries treatment on site is considered the first priority in most cases, rather than the historical approach of “scoop and scoot”.
The “Notartz” is literally an emergency physician, and most towns and cities operate one or more units dedicated to transporting him or her to incidents.
Originally, they had a passenger car or small estate car in fire service red with a fire service driver and room for the traditional doctor’s bag and not much else.
But of course they are now much more sophisticated and carry much more medical equipment, so the unit has grown - and also become much more colorful too!
These are however not designed to transport patients. That job is still for a traditional ambulance, but as in other countries treatment on site is considered the first priority in most cases, rather than the historical approach of “scoop and scoot”.
Added by Rob Johnson on 15 July 2021.