Since May 2019, Stuttgart Airport fire department has been deploying its four new Rosenbauer Panther crash tenders to ensure safety whilst minimising costs and overall environmental impact. By using a training simulator, an exact replica of a Panther, training crews can practice emergency procedures, with no vehicle wear-and-tear, fire hazards, or environmental damage from extinguishing foam.
By passenger volume, Stuttgart Airport is the sixth largest airport in Germany. When searching for aircraft firefighting vehicles in 2018, the airport fire department knew that in the long term, they wanted a solution that would deliver low cost and a reduced environmental impact. The department was already impressed by its first Rosenbauer vehicle ordered in 2016. This was a ‘water/foam roll-off container’ that enabled the fire department to extinguish fires outside the airport perimeters, beyond the hydrant network. Purchasing four Rosenbauer Panther 6×6, with increased driving stability, seemed to be the way forward.
The truck features the N80-type pump which supplies an RM35 front monitor as well as an RM65, which can use the Stinger extinguishing arm to precisely deliver the extinguishing agent even to elevated locations. On board, the vehicle has the capacity for 12,000 litres of water, and 750 litres of foam. Moreover, two of the Panthers are also equipped with a CO2 extinguishing system which holds a 120kg gas supply, while the other two are fitted with a 250kg powder extinguishing system.
While the 39-ton Panther has powerful acceleration, driven by a 750hp unit, and dynamic driving, its intentionally low centre of gravity and an integrated ESC stability programme, ensures fast, and safe, cornering. For Stuttgart Airport, this was the deciding factor for choosing the Rosenbauer Panther.
The four Panthers were delivered in May 2019. However, as there were no comparable vehicles in the Stuttgart Airport fire engine fleet, and the new ARFF trucks needed to be put into operation immediately, the decision was made to purchase a training simulator. This was installed in January 2019, allowing the emergency crews to train on an exact replica over four months before the actual Panthers arrived.
The simulator also proved to be useful for training drives. It offered an inexpensive alternative to training, saving the wearing of breaks and tires down, consuming fuel, and having monitoring personnel available. The Panther replica can simulate any situation, whether for driving training, or practicing tactical manoeuvres. This gives firefighters a clear advantage over conventional training.
But the simulator also contributes towards a wider ecological impact. The use of extinguishing foam contributes towards significant environmental damage. In fact, using foam for training purposes is prohibited in Stuttgart Airport. Extinguishing training fires poses a great risk to aviation fuel. Moreover, it also helps to minimise the consumption of extinguishing water. Without these ecological and budgeting limitations, firefighters and practice important manoeuvres time and time again without adverse consequences. Ultimately, this guarantees that every action can be performed correctly in an emergency.
In short, the Rosenbauer Panther and Simulator have proved to be a beneficial combination that ensures safety, low overall costs and environmental protection at Stuttgart Airport.
