As beautiful as the landscape in the Altaussee region is with its mountains, lakes, and rivers, the operational area of the local fire department is just as challenging. With the RTE Robot, however, they can now count on an indispensable helper.
It effortlessly transports heavy loads, conquers steep slopes and does not shy away from snow, ice, gravel, and forest floor: with the commissioning of the new rescue vehicle with firefighting and recovery equipment (HLF 1-LB) in 2021, the RTE Robot from Rosenbauer has also arrived in the Altaussee region. And, they no longer want to do without it, as Commander Christian Fischer says: “We are very happy that we have the RTE Robot.”
Innovative fire department
The fire department is known for pursuing innovative approaches and being open to new ideas, Commander Christian Fischer continues: “During the planning phase for our new fire truck, we received an invitation from Rosenbauer to view the prototype of the RTE Robot in Leonding. It was already clear to us during the demonstration that we could make excellent use of the multifunctional tracked vehicle in our operations.”
The manpower required to set up the water supply and extinguishing line is significantly reduced
The combination of the HLF with tail lift and the RTE Robot has one major advantage in particular: the manpower required to set up the water supply and extinguishing line is significantly reduced.
“Our personnel capacities are not limitless, especially during normal working hours during the week. With the RTE Robot, you can move a lot with just two people,” says Christian Fischer, explaining the reasons for purchasing the remote-controlled tracked vehicle.
Additional SCBA team
The simple and intuitive operation of the multifunctional robot also made it easy to familiarize ourselves with it. Commander Christian Fischer said, “The RTE Robot is actually self-explanatory: switch on - activate the remote control - drive.”
A mobile equipment container (MEC) with the FOX portable pump, including suction hoses and accessories, is mounted on the RTE Robot as standard for the Altaussee Volunteer Fire Department.
“The pump can easily be transported, set up and operated by two people,” says Christian Fischer. This frees up personnel capacities, which can then be used elsewhere: “For example, you can provide an additional SCBA team without having to put the supply of extinguishing water on hold.”
Firefighting from a boat
Fischer sees further major advantages, particularly in fighting fires in rough terrain, such as forest fires
One special feature of the Altaussee Volunteer Fire Department's operational area is surely that many locations can only be reached by boat.
With the RTE Robot, the FOX can be quickly and easily transferred to the fire department's workboat and the portable pump can also be operated there, says Christian Fischer: “Our boat is equipped with a monitor, so that we can also extinguish fires from the lake.”
Efficient in fighting fires in rough terrain
Commander Christian Fischer sees further major advantages, particularly in fighting fires in rough terrain, such as forest fires. There are enough water extraction points with lakes, rivers, and streams, but some of them are in alpine terrain. He said, “We pushed the RTE Robot to the limits of its physical capabilities during our exercises. On steep inclines, you can't keep up on foot.”
The RTE Robot has become an integral part of all firefighting operations carried out by the Altaussee Volunteer Fire Department. “It has already proven itself many times over and will continue to be a primary component of our equipment in the future,” says Commander Christian Fischer.
At the beginning of a development
He is certain that the multifunctional tracked vehicle from Rosenbauer will have a significant influence on the future of the fire service: “I think we are only at the start of development here. Other versions of the RTE Robot – equipped with a monitor or high-performance fan, for example – will also offer entirely new operational possibilities for the fire services and minimize the immediate danger to the emergency crews.”
Decades-long partnership with Rosenbauer
The Altaussee Volunteer Fire Department currently has just over 100 members, around 60 of whom are active firefighters. The squad relies on equipment and vehicles from Rosenbauer to deal with around 150 operations per year – from fire and technical rescue operations to human rescues.
“This starts with all the personal protective equipment and extends to our vehicles,” says Commander Christian Fischer, adding “We are equipped almost exclusively by one brand and swear by Austrian quality. And we have been doing very well with this for over five decades.”
