A very special delivery recently caused great excitement! The Wermelskirchen Junior Fire Department will now be training on an LF 10 fire engine. This is particularly amazing because junior fire departments normally learn the ropes with older converted vehicles from their cities or localities. Thus, it's all the more gratifying for the junior firefighters to receive a brand-new vehicle. The official vehicle handover and benediction took place in Wermelskirchen on 28 October 2017.
Training young firefighters with state-of-the-art technology
Because their previous training vehicle was now nearly a senior citizen and due for replacement, the fire department and city jointly decided to purchase a completely new vehicle, primarily intended as a training vehicle for the Wermelskirchen Junior Fire Department. The fire department also hopes to actively attract new young people as well as promote their existing members. If necessary, the LF 10 will also be available to the volunteer and full-time firefighters in the Wermelskirchen Fire Department.
Speaking about the youth development programmes, Holger Stubenrauch, Head of Wermelskirchen Fire Department, notes that "circa three-quarters of young firefighters will later be active in volunteer fire departments. With the new vehicle, we want to ensure that the young firefighters receive the best possible training." Even before their actual basic training, the new fire engine will enable them to learn the latest operational technology. These arguments convinced the city of Wermelskirchen to support the project comprehensively.
Special equipment concept
The new LF 10 on a Mercedes-Benz Atego chassis is equipped with the safe, ergonomic Magirus Team Cab. The equipment in the storage compartments of the vehicle is specifically tailored to the needs of the Junior Fire Department. Important elements such as C suction hoses, fittings and a TS 2/5 portable pump are stored in the lower sections of the superstructure and thus easily accessible to the young firefighters. Due to Magirus's flexible AluFire3 superstructure concept, the complete standard load could be included without exception. The illumination concept involves a pneumatic light mast with 4 x 24 V LED floodlights and integrated lighting of the entire environment for the best visibility.
Wermelskirchen in a leading role
The young firefighters were visibly proud to receive their new Magirus fire engine at the formal handover ceremony. The representatives of the Wermelskirchen Junior Fire Department are convinced that their concept is certainly interesting for similar units that wish to inspire other young people to join. They are currently the first junior fire department to take this approach, but could soon serve as pioneers for departments.
