Interschutz 2022: Rosenbauer presents fireboat for wildland firefighting

Rosenbauer complements its extensive forest-fire portfolio with a special rescue and fireboat developed in collaboration with PALFINGER MARINE. Fire departments can use it to fight forest fires near the coast or shore from the water, which is an advantage wherever the scene of the fire is difficult to access over land or access with forest fire vehicles is not possible. The boat is also the rescue vehicle of choice when people have to be rescued from beaches because a burning forest edge has reached the coast or shore and is blocking the escape route over land.

No shortage of extinguishing agents

The optimal supply of extinguishing agent in forest-fire operations is another advantage. While fire engines can only carry a certain amount of water, the boat literally swims in the extinguishing agent and can usually make it available indefinitely for firefighting.

To ensure that the water can also be pumped out of the respective body of water in correspondingly large quantities, the fireboat is equipped with the Rosenbauer N55 high-performance pump, which has a capacity of up to 5,500 l/min at 10 bar and is also suitable for use with seawater due to the robust, corrosion-resistant design.

The pumped water is either used to supply a relay point on the bank or discharged directly via the RM35 turret. This sits on the bow of the fireboat, is permanently connected to the pump and, with an output of up to 4,750 l/min, achieves a range of up to 90m. The turret can be rotated 360° and pivoted vertically within the boat’s contours and is powered by the boat’s engines via a power take-off.

Precise, interconnected use

The pump and turret are controlled via the Rosenbauer Logic Control System, which is operated via the display (pump) and joystick (turret) just as precisely as in a firefighting vehicle. All turret functions can be carried out directly on the joystick, with the deflection of the joystick specifying the exact speed of the turret movement. Automatic operation can also be implemented with the RM35 by teaching the launcher a path that it then follows automatically.

In addition, the boat can be connected to the Rosenbauer operations management system RDS Connected Command and thus integrated into the central mission command. This makes it visible to all responders, and the boat crew can be provided with mission-relevant information in the same way as their colleagues in the vehicles on land.

Robust operational device

The new fireboat from Rosenbauer and PALFINGER is made of seawater-resistant aluminium (marine grade aluminum), is 8.50m long and 310 m wide and has a jet drive (water jet propulsion) with which it can reach a speed of up to 38 knots (approx. 70km/h). The jet drive is powered by two six-cylinder diesel engines, each with an output of 215kW (292hp). Three crew members are usually on the boat, up to 12 additional people can be transported.

The new fireboat will be presented for the first time at Interschutz 2022 from 20–25 June in Hanover (Hall 27/Booth B58), where it will be another highlight of the Rosenbauer forest-fire exhibition alongside various forest-fire vehicles and personal protective equipment. The new fireboat not only expands the product portfolio for wildland firefighting but also shows that Rosenbauer is doing everything it can to provide emergency response organizations with the right device for every need.

Rosenbauer at Interschutz
June 20-25, 2022
Hannover Messe, Hanover, Germany
Hall 27, Booth B58 and outdoor area