Fire vehicles in Germany are subject to many special requirements; they must be as multifunctional as possible, and must be usable in all kinds of terrain such as cities, forests, fields, and mountains. To ensure simple and straightforward use even across regions, the German Institute for Standardisation (DIN) has standardized many emergency vehicles.
Classification In Germany, there are two criteria for classification of fire vehicles: crew size and standardization.
Crew size German fire vehicles can be classified according to the tactical unit that occupies them. This is particularly important for operations requiring a large number of personnel to ensure transport of all first responders to the scene. This classification divides fire vehicles into 3 groups.
German fire vehicle seating is typically described using 4 numbers (for example, (0/1/2/3). The first number represents the number of platoon leaders (). This is mainly used when referring to groups of vehicles (such as the ), and is thus often left out when describing individual vehicles. The second describes the number of unit leaders, either squad leaders () or group leaders (). The third number describes the amount of standard crew members. This includes engineers (), troop leaders () (aside from when counting ), and troop men (). The final number, which is sometimes underlined, is the total amount of people of any classification.
A (0/1/2/3) has 3 crew members: A troop leader (), a crew member () and an engineer (). Examples of are aerial rescue vehicles (), water tender engines (TLFs), hose vehicles (), Rüstwagen (RWs), and Gerätewagen (GWs). A Staffelfahrzeug (0/1/5/6) has 6 crew members: A squad leader (Staffelführer), an engineer (Maschinist) and two troops (each having a troop leader (Truppführer) and a crew member (Truppmann), respectively). Examples of Staffelfahrzeugen are portable pump vehicles (TSFs), some water tender engines (TLFs), and small fire engines (KLFs). A Gruppenfahrzeug (0/1/8/9 or 1/0/8/9) has 9 crew members: A group leader (Gruppenführer), an engineer (Maschinist), a Melder, and three troops (each having a troop leader (Truppführer) and a crew member (Truppmann), respectively). Examples of Gruppenfahrzeugen are Löschgruppenfahrzeuge (LFs), Hilfeleistungslöschgruppenfahrzeuge (HLFs), Mannschaftstransportfahrzeuge (MTFs/MTWs), and often Mehrzweckfahrzeuge (MZFs).
Standardization Most German fire vehicles are standardized in accordance with DIN. DIN 14500 through 14599, as well as DIN 14700 to 14709 are used for this purpose.
List of standardized German fire engine types Vehicle name (German)AbbreviationPumpMain task(s)Gross vehicle weight (metric tons)Crew sizeMinimum tank volumeTragkraftspritzenfahrzeugTSFPFPN 10-1000Firefighting4,75 tStaffel (0/1/5/6)–Tragkraftspritzenfahrzeug mit WasserTSF-WPFPN 10-1000Firefighting7,5 tStaffel (0/1/5/6)500 to 750 lKleinlöschfahrzeugKLFPFPN 10-1000Firefighting4,75 tStaffel (0/1/5/6)500 lMittleres LöschfahrzeugMLFFPN 10-1000Firefighting9 tStaffel (0/1/5/6)600 to 1000 lLöschgruppenfahrzeug 10LF 10FPN 10-1000Firefighting / technical assistance14 tGruppe (0/1/8/9)1200 lHilfeleistungslöschgruppenfahrzeug 10HLF 10FPN 10-1000Firefighting / technical assistance14 tGruppe (0/1/8/9)1000 lLöschgruppenfahrzeug 20LF 20FPN 10-2000Firefighting / technical assistance16 tGruppe (0/1/8/9)2000 lHilfeleistungslöschgruppenfahrzeug 20HLF 20FPN 10-2000Firefighting / technical assistance16 tGruppe (0/1/8/9)1600 lLöschgruppenfahrzeug 20 für den KatastrophenschutzLF 20 KatSFPN 10-2000Firefighting / technical assistance16 tGruppe (0/1/8/9)1000 lTanklöschfahrzeug 2000TLF 2000FPN 10-1000Firefighting14 tTrupp (0/1/2/3)2000 l (1800 l)Tanklöschfahrzeug 3000TLF 3000FPN 10-2000Firefighting14 tTrupp (0/1/2/3)3000 lTanklöschfahrzeug 4000TLF 4000FPN 10-2000Firefighting>16 tTrupp (0/1/2/3)4000 l + 500 l foamDrehleiter 12/9DLK 12 (DLAK 12/9)–Rescue13 tTrupp (0/1/2/3)–Drehleiter 18/12DLK 18 (DLAK 18/12)–Rescue14 tTrupp (0/1/2/3)–Drehleiter 23/12DLK 23 (DLAK 23/12)–Rescue16 tTrupp (0/1/2/3)–Teleskopgelenkmast 18/12TGM 18/12–Firefighting / technical assistance / rescue16 tTrupp (0/1/1/2)–Teleskopgelenkmast 23/12TGM 23/12–Firefighting / technical assistance / rescue16 tTrupp (0/1/1/2)–WechselladerfahrzeugWLF–Logistics>16 tTrupp (0/1/1/2)–RüstwagenRW–Technical assistance16 tTrupp (0/1/2/3)–Gerätewagen GefahrgutGW-G–Hazardous material incidents16 tTrupp (0/1/1/2 oder 0/1/2/3)–Gerätewagen Logistik 1GW-L1–Logistics7,5 t (16 t)Trupp (0/1/2/3) or Staffel (0/1/5/6)–Gerätewagen Logistik 2GW-L2–Logistics16 tStaffel (0/1/5/6)–KommandowagenKdoW–Command3,5 t(0/1/2/3)–Einsatzleitwagen 1ELW 1–Command4,75 t(0/1/2/3)–Einsatzleitwagen 2ELW 2–Command16 t (>16 t)Trupp (0/1/2/3)– Sources: Deutsches Institut für Normung – Feuerwehrfahrzeug-Typenliste der gängigsten Fahrzeuge, Landesfeuerwehrschule Schleswig-Holstein – Fahrzeug- und Gerätekunde - Lehrgang Gruppenführung, Kreisjugendfeuerwehr Nordhausen – Übersicht: Kurzzeichen im Feuerwehrwesen nach DIN 14033
Command vehicles
The Einsatzleitwagen (ELW) transports the incident commander (Einsatzleiter) to the scene and helps them coordinate operations. For this reason, they transport various maps, radios, reference materials, and other command resources. Currently, 3 Einsatzleitwagen are standardized: KdoW; ELW 1; and ELW 2.
ELW 1 The ELW 1 is primarily used by incident command for traveling to and surveying incidents, as an aid for leading tactical units, and as an aid for commanding formations. However, it lacks staff-style command operations. It is standardized according to DIN 14507-2.
ELW 2
The ELW 2 is used in larger scenarios where significant coordination is required. The ELW 2 not only has radio work stations, but also a meeting room; in total, it must have 3 separate rooms/compartments. The ELW 2 is standardized according to DIN 14507-3.
KdoW The Kommandowagen (KdoW) is used by the incident command for traveling to and surveying incident sites. Depending on the department, it can be the official vehicle of the full-time fire chief (Kommandant). The KdoW is standardized according to DIN 14507-5.
Fire engines (Löschfahrzeuge) Fire engines (Löschfahrzeuge) carry equipment for fighting fires. This includes pumps, hoses, nozzles, and typically a water tank, in addition to other technical equipment. Their primary task is firefighting.
Portable pump vehicles (Tragkraftspritzenfahrzeuge/TLF)
Tragkraftspritzenfahrzeuge (TSFs) are small fire engines equipped with firefighting equipment. They seat a squad (Staffel) and have a maximum vehicle weight of 4,75 t (4,5 t without SCBA equipment). They are light vehicles, primarily used by volunteer fire departments covering smaller areas. They do not have a permanent pump, rather they carry a portable fire pump (PFPN 10 / 1000) mounted on a sled in the rear of the vehicle. The TSF seats only a squad (Staffel), but still has the complete equipment for a group (Gruppe) on board, including 4 SCBA units and a 4-part sectional ladder.Currently, 3 Tragkraftspritzenfahrzeuge are standardized: TSF; TSF-W; TSF-L
Small fire engine (Kleinlöschfahrzeug/KLF) The Kleinlöschfahrzeug (KLF) is a fire engine equipped with at least one portable pump PFPN 10-1000 standardized in DIN 14530-24, equipment for quick water access, a water tank with a minimum usable volume of , and firefighting equipment for a Gruppe (group) (0/1/8/9). The vehicle sits a Staffel (squad) (0/1/5/6). The vehicle is mainly used for firefighting and along with its crew, forms an independent tactual unit.
The maximum allowed length is , the maximum allowed width is , and the maximum allowed height is . The allowed weight is limited to .
Aside from the standardized KLF, there are also non-standardized, custom vehicles used by departments that carry the same name.
Medium fire engine (Mittleres Löschfahrzeug/MLF) Mittlere Löschfahrzeuge (MLFs), formerly known as „Staffellöschfahrzeug“ (StLF) in the old DIN standard, are medium-sized fire engines that fall between the LF 10 and the TSF-W. They are standardized by DIN 14530-25, and fill the gap from small and medium-sized fire departments needing a small, standardized, multi-purpose vehicle. A vehicle sits a Staffel (squad), and has a maximum weight of . It must have a usable water supply of at least , extensive firefighting equipment, and a limited amount of technical assistance equipment.
Löschgruppenfahrzeuge (LF)
Löschgruppenfahrzeuge (LFs) are the backbone of nearly every firefighting operation. They carry the majority of the firefighting equipment and a significant portion of the crew (a Gruppe), as well as one or two centrifugal fire pumps. Thanks to the built in tanks and quick-attack system (Schellangriffseinrichtung), initial firefighting operations can begin, even without a water source.
Currently, 3 LFs are standardized: the LF 10, the LF 20, and the Löschgruppenfahrzeug 20 KatS.
LFs built to the old standards are still very common. Example of this are: LF 8, LF 8/6, LF 10/6; LF 16, LF 16/12, LF 20/16; and LF 24. There also exists the LF 16-TS, which carries a portable pump and is primarily used for disaster relief. Its equipment involves, among other things, of B hoses. The successor of the LF 16-TS is the LF 20 KatS, set by the new standards. According to the old naming standard, LF stood for Löschgruppenfahrzeug and the number before the slash indicated the output of the centrifugal pump (20 for a nominal output of at least per minute at a pressure of . The following number stood for the tank volume in units of .
Hilfeleistungslöschgruppenfahrzeug (HLF) Hilfeleistungslöschgruppenfahrzeuge (HLFs) are common in larger fire brigades and are characterized by their wide assortment of technical assistance equipment supplementing the firefighting equipment. The vehicle is designed to fit 9 people. Currently, only the HLF 10 (formerly HLF 10/6) and the HLF 20 (formerly HLF 20/16) are standardized.
Water tender engines (Tanklöschfahrzeuge/TLF)
Tanklöschfahrzeuge (TLFs) are vehicles that mainly serve to supply water and other extinguishing agents over extended periods of time, sometimes in a shuttle service if necessary. They are often necessary, particularly when it comes to dealing with wildfires.
In addition to extinguishing agents, TLFs transport part of the necessary equipment to deal with fires. Newer vehicles are crewed with Truppbesatzung (0/1/2/3), but older standards also allowed TLFs with Staffelbesatzung (0/1/5/6). TLFs can typically respond to smaller emergencies, such as burning garbage cans, etc., on their own.
Currently, 3 types of TLF are standardized: the TLF 2000, the TLF 3000, and the TLF 4000, with the number signifying the water tank volume in liters.
In the past, the TLF 24/50, the TLF 16/24-Tr, the TLF 20/40, and the TLF 20/40-SL were all standardized. Some vehicles built to older standards such as the TLF 8/8, the TLF 8/18, and the TLF 16/25, as well as those mentioned before are still common to this day.
In addition, there are also large tank fire engines such as the Großtanklöschfahrzeug (GTLF), a larger variant of the TLF. In Brandenburg, the TLF 16/45 was designed specifically to fight forest fires. The Lower Saxon wildfire vehicle was the TLF 8 W.
Turntable ladders (Drehleitern/DL/DLK) Turntable ladders (Drehleitern, DL/DLK) are the best-known and most widespread aerial rescue vehicles in Germany. They allow access to higher stories via an extendable ladder. The abbreviation DL stands for „Drehleiter“, meaning "turntable ladder", and the abbreviation DLK stands for „Drehleiter mit Rettungskorb“, or "turntable ladder with rescue basket". The first number following either DL or DLK is the maximum rescue height in meters.