Three fire departments demonstrate operational capability in a spectacular exercise

Three fire departments demonstrate operational capability in a spectacular exercise

On September 22, 2025, an impressive main exercise by the local fire brigades was carried out in Ingersheim. The focus was on a swap loader vehicle (WLF) from Bietigheim-Bissingen, which was used to rescue an injured person on a slurry truck. For this purpose, the vehicle had to overcome a number of challenges during the exercise: The slurry vehicle was suspended at the back, but could be successfully lifted hydraulically. The WLF then drove into the courtyard in front of the hall and completed its mission.

The exercise lasted about 30 minutes and ended after rescuing the injured person and extinguishing a simulated fire. Particular attention was paid to the procedures in emergencies as well as the functionality of the technology and vehicles. At the end, the firefighters received applause for their commitment and the successful interaction between the three fire departments involved.

Insights into technology

Swap loader vehicles like the WLF used combine several main tasks and are crucial for fire service technology. They enable the transport of firefighting equipment in interchangeable roll-off containers, which is an advantage for various operations. The swap body is permanently attached to the chassis and the vehicle can be equipped with a variety of roll-off containers, including hazardous goods containers and multi-purpose boats. Depending on the model, the permissible total mass of the WLF varies between 18,000 and 26,000 kg, which underlines its versatile application possibilities [Wikipedia].

One of the challenges when using swap body vehicles is ensuring that these vehicles are capable of loading and unloading roll-off containers within 90 seconds, which is crucial for effective use [Wikipedia]. This standard is specified by DIN 14505 and EN 1846-3 and guarantees usability even under pressure.

Fewer visitors, great performance

Despite the special circumstances, the number of guests at the exercise was lower than in previous years. Midsummer temperatures and the ongoing grape harvest certainly contributed to this. Nevertheless, the event offered valuable insights into the fire department's performance and the existing interaction between the various units.

After the exercise there was an unofficial farewell to Commander Andreas Fritz, who has done passionate work for many years and is now retiring. His achievements and the commitment of all fire department members were highly valued and recognized with much applause.