Perfectly adapted: the new rescue vehicle based on an Arocs 2546 for Salzburg’s fire service

Vehicle & Technology

A star that will go through fire and water.

Modern operations truck: just recently Salzburg’s fire service brought a new heavy-duty rescue vehicle on the basis of a Mercedes‑Benz Arocs 2546 into service.


Metre-high flames, jet-black plumes of smoke, cars entangled beyond recognition – the men and women working for the Salzburg fire service often experience a rush of adrenaline. Ten times a day on average the call comes in to extinguish fires and assist with traffic accidents. However the alarm also sounds when people cannot get out of their homes, high winds damage roofs, there is flooding, water pipes burst or even when pet animals can’t free themselves from a difficult situation.

Special fleet with 50 vehicles.

The fire station’s staff of 128 is trained for extreme operations in high altitudes, to search for and rescue missing persons in rivers and lakes as well as for dozens of other emergency situations. And while doing all that they can rely on a fleet of around 50 special vehicles. Recently a heavy-duty rescue truck – based on a Mercedes‑Benz Arocs 2546 6×2 – joined the fleet.



Tailored precisely to requirements.

The new star of the fleet at the Maxglan fire station bears the abbreviation SRF-K and has already impressed deputy chief fire officer Werner Kloiber, crew commander Stefan Jakolitsch and fleet engineer Thomas Karl: “The vehicle can cope with anything and is tailored precisely to our operations requirements.” But that’s no surprise, as possible applications were considered, equipment characteristics were discussed and performance criteria defined in a process lasting around two years.

Well-thought-out equipment.

The requirements included an extremely efficient crane, a self-steering trailing axle and a short wheelbase for the best possible agility. Furthermore the vehicle height could not exceed 3.65 metres so that the vehicle can also operate without restriction in Salzburg’s inner city where there are some very low underpasses for example. “The vehicle would have been too high if it was equipped with permanent all-wheel drive,” Werner Kloiber explains. “In order to remain mobile even in poor driving conditions and on steep roads, we chose a hydraulically driven front axle.” If necessary the high-pressure pump of the Hydraulic Auxiliary Drive (HAD) fitted at the engine transfers pressure to the wheel hub motors on the front axle. The pressure pushes hydraulic pistons outward, which in turn drive the cam ring, providing additional drive power.


Mercedes‑Benz Arocs 2546 6×2 rescue vehicle.

  • Hydraulic Auxiliary Drive (HAD)
  • Palfinger PK 42.002 SH G loading crane with a reach of 20.8 metres and a 2.5 tonne winch with synchronous control
  • 20 kVA installed power generator
  • 8 tonne friction-drive winch
  • Air compressor (operating pressure 14 bar)
  • Plasma cutter
  • Recovery air cushions (1 bar and 12 bar)
  • Traffic control equipment
  • Light tower

Thorough planning prior to purchase.

Problems and their solutions were discussed by a special panel specifically appointed at the fire service in Salzburg. The panel also took requests, experiences and suggestions based on earlier operations into account. All of the requirements then flowed into an overall concept and were discussed and agreed upon with the general contractor, Empl-Fahrzeugwerk in Kaltenbach, Werner Kloiber explains. The fireman from Salzburg smiles before adding, “The members of the special panel even went as far as to research potential improvements in their free time. Everyone’s commitment was tremendous and we’re now over the moon to have the vehicle here.”



Great service, great flexibility.

In Werner Kloiber’s opinion the SRF-K increases the flexibility of the whole team thanks to its equipment and many attachments. “We can now cover any number of eventualities that occur during operations – right through to launching a lifeboat in inaccessible waters.” If there is no slipway available, the crane is extended and the boat lowered into the water from the trailer. “A lot of thought went into both the body and the equipment,” says Werner Kloiber. “And it’s good to see all that effort paying off in day-to-day operations.” How important was a star on the radiator grille during the purchasing process? Werner Kloiber answers, “In principle, a decision process like this is of course manufacturer-neutral but as our experience with Mercedes has always been very good, the supply of spare parts is assured for decades and servicing is excellent, we are very pleased that the truck is a Mercedes.”



Photos: Sebastian Freiler

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