Disaster relief in Lower Saxony relies on Mercedes-Benz Trucks.

The Lower Saxony Ministry of the Interior is deploying 16 new Unimog U 5023 UHE units as well as 18 brand-new Zetros 2745 vehicles with sliding- curtain bodies. Nine Unimog ambulances based on the Unimog U 4023 UHE have also been ordered from Daimler Truck.

Acting on experience.

Disasters, such as the war in Ukraine or the devastating floods in the Ahr Valley, have prompted the authorities in Germany to take action. For example, in 2022 the state of Lower Saxony adopted an emergency package to strengthen disaster response capabilities. It also includes provisions for the procurement of modern equipment to support a wide range of emergency response operations. An important point of the package: the acquisition and nationwide deployment of off-road vehicles for logistics operations.

When every minute counts.

These requirements led to the Europe-wide tender for the vehicles from Mercedes-Benz Trucks. Nine Unimog U 4023 UHE ambulance casualty transport vehicles are part of the order placed by the Ministry of the Interior. What makes this Unimog special is its capacity to transport either three patients lying down at the same time or, alternatively, one lying patient and four seated passengers — the key requirement was to evacuate as many casualties as possible from the disaster area in the shortest possible time. The Unimog U 4023 vehicles were fitted out by BINZ Automotive in Ilmenau.

Logistics in a state of emergency.

In addition, the Lower Saxony Ministry of the Interior ordered 16 Unimog U 5023 UHE models and 18 Zetros 2745 trucks with curtain-sided bodies from Wörth am Rhein, with the bodywork carried out by Göbel Fahrzeugbau. Both the Unimog (light logistics support vehicle) and the Zetros (heavy logistics support vehicle) are intended to provide logistical support in emergency situations. A torsion-free mounting of the body, together with a vertical lift mounted solely on the superstructure and independent of the chassis, preserves the high off-road capability of both the Unimog and the Zetros. The Unimogs will be successively equipped with special tools and components for power supply. A 60 kVA backup power system, i.e. an emergency power generator, is attached to each Unimog when operational.

A distinctive feature of both Unimog cabs is the roof-mounted TMG hatch, which allows rescue personnel to act quickly and directly from the vehicle in extreme or emergency situations. Both the Zetros and the Unimog U 5023 have been equipped with a tyre pressure control system. The Unimogs also feature a cable winch, for example to enable self-recovery in difficult terrain. The fording capability of both Unimog models is 120 cm, that of the Zetros is 100 cm.

The Zetros will be equipped with appropriate equipment and special tents to provide emergency accommodation and emergency drinking water supply to the population in areas of operation.

Close to the danger zone.

All newly acquired logistics vehicles are assigned to the logistics and technical units of the Lower Saxony Civil Protection. There are 50 of these groups across the country, each with at least 18 volunteers involved. The so-called all-terrain ambulances form part of a specialised unit, the ‘off-road patient transport group’, which reports directly to the ministry and is deployed whenever conventional emergency vehicles reach their limits.

The vehicles are stationed at locations chosen to ensure close proximity to potential risk areas such as the North Sea coast, the Solling region and the Harz mountains. Fire brigades and other rescue organisations across the state were able to apply to host one of these vehicles at their stations.

Civil protection vehicles are generally assigned to the respective local disaster management authorities. In an emergency, the state of Lower Saxony can also deploy these vehicles across districts or send them to support operations in other federal states.

Tim Hallemann, planning and equipment of civil protection, Lower Saxony Ministry for Interior, Sport and Digitalisation

There are 21 unit types in Lower Saxony, one of which is the logistics and technology group. These include, for example, medical and care units, catering teams, and fire brigade standby units.

Disaster relief in Lower Saxony relies on Mercedes-Benz Trucks.

Acting on experience.

When every minute counts.

Logistics in a state of emergency.

Close to the danger zone.

Civil protection vehicles are generally assigned to the respective local disaster management authorities. In an emergency, the state of Lower Saxony can also deploy these vehicles across districts or send them to support operations in other federal states.

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