special trucks

The Econic and Arocs are vital reinforcements for the Paderborn fire service.

When the alarm is sounded, every second counts. Paderborn fire service counts on the Econic's manoeuvrability to provide rapid assistance in the city centre's narrow alleys and backyards. An Arocs swap body vehicle also offers further assistance with material transport, among other things.

Tailor-made for the cathedral city.

The Paderborn fire service is a diverse team: two full-time watches with around 350 employees and ten volunteer fire fighters ensure safety around the clock. For Christian Nienaber, who is responsible for planning and procurement in the Technology department, choosing the right equipment is crucial.

“We currently have Mercedes-Benz Trucks Econic vehicles with turntable ladder, Arocs swap body vehicles and also a Unimog for off-road capability in use”, he explains. The latest addition, the Econic with state-of-the-art turntable ladder, was tailored precisely to the needs of Paderborn fire service by bodybuilder Rosenbauer.

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Ergonomics that protect.

Why the Econic? For Christian Nienaber, one issue was more important than everything else: work safety. When the fire service is deployed, time is of the essence. Especially when it comes to heavy equipment. “We need a chassis with the lowest-possible entry height”, says Christian Nienaber.

The reason for this is related to the fire-fighting procedure. The deputy head of the watch department often enters the scene already wearing a respirator. The Econic’s low-entry concept enables ergonomic exit, even when carrying a heavy load. Ever since the fire service bought their first Econics in 2009, they have greatly appreciated the practical and clearly arranged cab.

The additional rear-wheel auxiliary steering makes us extremely manoeuvrable.

Christian Nienaber, Technology Department, Paderborn fire service

Manoeuvrability as a key factor.

Like many historic cities, Paderborn has challenging corners. This is where the new Econic shows off its second great strength: remaining compact, despite a large body size. With a width of only 2.40 m and an extremely low overall height of around 3.10 m, the vehicle can fit almost anywhere.

Feuerwehrfahrzeug fährt durch eine enge Gasse mit eingeschaltetem Blaulicht. — The Econic in the narrow streets of Paderborn.

“The additional auxiliary rear-wheel steering makes us extremely manoeuvrable”, emphasises Chrsitian Nienaber. This is crucial if a rescue operation is required in narrow built-up areas in the city centre or in labyrinthine backyards. It's simple: the better the vehicle can be manoeuvred, the sooner people can start to be rescued.

A strong team.

While the Econic is the specialist for rescue operations at height and in narrow alleys, the Mercedes-Benz Arocs delivers the necessary horsepower: designed by bodybuilder F&B Nutzfahrzeug-Technik as a swap body vehicle, it brings heavy materials and containers to exactly where they are needed. In combination with the off-road Unimog, the trio is an essential part of the vehicle concept in Paderborn.