Berlin Fire Department to develop Hybrid Electric Firefighting and Rescue Vehicle
Matt Head
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Berlin Fire Department’s “eLHF” project, an abbreviation of “electric firefighting and rescue vehicle” in German, is a scheme backed by the Berlin Program for Sustainable Development (BENE). The main aim of this program, which is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund, is to procure and pilot-test an innovative firefighting and rescue vehicle equipped with an electric drive to get it from A to B and run its extinguishing technology.
Austrian specialist Rosenbauer, the world’s manufacturer of systems for firefighting and disaster protection, is playing a vital role in the “eLHF” project. The Concept Fire Truck (CFT) study devised and produced by Rosenbauer already features technical solutions that may well resolve the issues firefighters will face in the future.
Ergonomically and ecologically optimised vehicle
According to Rosenbauer, the electric CFT is an ergonomically and ecologically optimised vehicle that adapts to a wide range of requirements and is intuitive to operate. Connectivity, globalisation and knowledge cultures – key trends incorporated into the CFT technology – are said to reflect the importance of communication and digitalisation in the society.
The growing significance of networking between humans and machines is also expected to be crucial in ensuring firefighting missions are successful. “Our innovation partnership with Berlin Fire Department represents an important milestone as we work toward the series production of our Concept Fire Truck,” says Dr. Dieter Siegel, CEO of Rosenbauer International.