On March 3, 2025, Mayor Michael Ludwig and fire director Mario Rauch presented six high -country fire trucks for disaster protection. In the future, the vehicles from the Czech manufacturer Tatra ensure that the Viennese firefighters can provide help quickly and reliably even if the street infrastructure and high water levels are damaged.
Flood September 2024
While the memories of the floods in September 2024 are still well present in eastern Austria, an important new component in Vienna’s security architecture was presented today. Especially after extreme weather, such as heavy rain, storm or flood, it must be ensured that the fire brigade remains capable of action and, despite the damaged or flooded roads, can reach all areas in the Vienna urban area quickly and safely. In addition, the city of Vienna – Fire Brigade and Disaster Protection, short professional fire brigade in Vienna, strengthens its fleet for six special vehicles. “People in Vienna know that they can rely on the Viennese fire brigade in all situations. The city also showed during the flood in September 2024 that Vienna can flood and with these vehicles we consistently invest in disaster protection. The Viennese fire brigade is thus prepared for upcoming events in the best possible way, ”says Vienna Mayor Michael Ludwig.
Six high -country fire trucks
The choice fell on the Tatra T815-7 4×4 Force model, which was purchased via an existing contract with Bundeschriftung GmbH (BBG). The vehicles have water passability (wading depth) of 120 cm and an enormous mountain capacity of 68 percent. Fire director Mario Rauch emphasizes: “The fire brigade is increasingly challenged by storms, heavy rain, floods and forest fires. In these situations, strong and robust equipment is needed, which you can rely on in all situations. With the high -distance fire trucks, we expand our possible uses and our firefighters are able to help quickly and efficiently even under the most difficult operating conditions. ”
Czech product with Austrian know-how
The Tatra vehicles have a central tube frame with a single wheel suspension and thus via unsurpassed traction properties in the field and on poorly paved roads. The chassis federt better downright bumps and thus allows significantly higher operational speeds. In contrast to a ladder frame, the central tube frame is tied. This also means that the buildings remain free of overbanding. The functionality of moving parts such as hinges, closures and roller shutters is always guaranteed and at the same time the longevity is promoted. The individual wheel suspension ensures even weight distribution, optimal traction and low ground pressure. This development goes back to the engineer Hans Ledwinka (1878-1967) from Klosterneuburg, whose son Erich Ledwinka (1904-1992) further developed the construction and was finally used in the legendary Steyr-Puch Haflinger and Pinzgau. “In summary, the Tatra chassis offers the best concept, especially in the frequent disaster inserts with destroyed or lack of street infrastructure, in order to be able to achieve the location safely, quickly and reliably. As an Austrian family business, we are very happy to be able to significantly expand the off-road operations of the Vienna professional fire brigade with the six Tatra Löschfahrzen presented today, ”adds Di Robert Kerschl from Tschann, the Austrian Tatra importer.
Fire engineering from Austria
The integrated extinguishing water tank holds 3,200 liters, the extinguishing water pump N35 delivers up to 3,000 l/min at 10 bar and up to 1,000 l/min can be released via the front water thrower RM15. With so-called pump and roll operation, the extinguishing process can also be continued during the journey. In addition, the vehicle has 300 liters of water for self -protection. With the self-protection function, it is particularly possible for forest fire use to spray the tires and the vehicle floor with water via nozzles. In addition, the floor nozzles can be used to combat surface fires. With additional nozzles on the cab, a water curtain to protect the cabin can be generated via the entire vehicle front. Andreas Zeller, sales board of Rosenbauer International AG: “Climate change also increases the risk of vegetation fires in Austria. Last but not least, the forest fire on the Rax showed us impressively three years ago. With the purchase of the new disaster protection vehicles, the Vienna professional fire brigade, which is also responsible for the Wienerwald, demonstrates its predictive planning. I am pleased that the choice of Rosenbauer’s MT series fell “
OTS original text press release with the exclusive in terms of content of the sender – www.ots.at | NRK