A backup unit for major medical emergencies with multiple casualties or victims. Staffed by volunteer fire company personnel, who are not necessarily trained EMTs, but have a supporting role. This type of unit may be operated by other German fire services, but I have only heard of them in the context of Berlin. Others tend to use large city bus based vehicles for this role, but the idea of having five smaller units instead of one or two giant vehicles seems to have some advantages. In general, most German volunteer firefighters do not provide first responder emergency medical coverage, as there are numerous other agencies which do, but this is slowly evolving as the volume of medical calls increases with an aging population.
Added by Rob Johnson on 21 June 2024.