Rosenbauer Deploys Its PANTHER 8x8 ARFF Firefighting Vehicles At The Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, In The Netherlands

In the coming months, the fire brigade at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport will gradually put 13 new Rosenbauer PANTHER 8x8 firefighting vehicles into service. These new firefighting vehicles represent the largest and fastest category of Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicles and are used in aircraft fire protection.

Dubbed Crash Tenders, these firefighting vehicles will replace the current FLF fleet at the Schiphol Airport, in Amsterdam, Netherlands, which has reached the end of its useful life, after 15 years of service.

PANTHER 8x8 ARFF vehicles with extinguishing technology

The new Rosenbauer PANTHER 8x8 firefighting vehicles are equipped with the latest extinguishing technology

The new Rosenbauer PANTHER 8x8 firefighting vehicles are equipped with the latest extinguishing technology. The firefighters can use it to fight fires while approaching, which enables a faster and safer extinguishing process. The vehicles can drive and extinguish at the same time and quickly emit large quantities of extinguishing agents - 13,300 liters of water, 1,600 l of foam, and more than 250 kg of powder.

With this extinguishing capacity, the Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, will in the future, be able to meet the most stringent requirements and continue to allow the largest aircraft models, such as the Boeing 777 and the Airbus A380 aircraft to use the airport.

New vehicles equipped with special wide tires

Schiphol’s terrain is unusual, with many grassy areas and fields. The new vehicles are, therefore, equipped with special wide tires and technical features to improve their off-road capability. Navigation systems and infrared cameras allow the fire brigade to navigate the runway safely, even in poor weather conditions, such as fog, rain, or snow.

Dick Benschop, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Royal Schiphol Group, said “The Schiphol fire brigade is constantly on call, day and night, and can reach any runway within three minutes if necessary. The priority of the airport is the safety of its passengers and employees. I am extremely pleased that we will be using these advanced ARFF vehicles.”

Marianne Schuurmans, Mayor of Haarlemmermeer, said “A complex environment like Schiphol requires a special approach to security, with a fire brigade that has been specially trained at this airport and has the right equipment for it. I'm proud and happy about such innovative equipment that we can also use outside of Schiphol.”

Rosenbauer EMEREC DEVS positioning and navigation system

Dieter Siegel, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Rosenbauer International AG, said “The Schiphol Group puts superlative ARFF vehicles into service. The 18 PANTHERs represent the current state-of-the-art in firefighting technology.”

We are very proud that the Schiphol Group has placed its trust in Rosenbauer"

Dieter Siegel adds, “They are extremely powerful, safe to use, and equipped with the latest features, such as the Rosenbauer EMEREC DEVS positioning and navigation system. We are very proud that the Schiphol Group has placed its trust in Rosenbauer.”

The airport fire brigade's emergency response team consists of around 150 employees who can operate the new vehicles. Over the past 18 months, all firefighters have undergone intensive training to ensure they have the skills required.

Rosenbauer vehicles at Other global Airports

In the year 2020, Rotterdam The Hague Airport and Lelystad Airport will also put three and two Rosenbauer ARFF vehicles into service respectively. These are a bit smaller since both airports are served by smaller machines. It is a PANTHER 6x6 firefighting vehicle with 10,000 liters of water, 1,300 liters of foam compound, and 250 kg of extinguishing powder on board.

Otherwise, the technology is identical to the vehicles in Amsterdam, Netherlands. This standardization offers benefits for vehicle maintenance and management, extinguishing techniques, and, of course, for the education and training of firefighters.