Vechta invests 350,000 euros: new command vehicle for the fire department!

Vechta invests 350,000 euros: new command vehicle for the fire department!

Vechta has taken another step towards the most modern firefighting technology. On October 5, 2025, the new command vehicle (ELW) of the Vechta Volunteer Fire Department was ceremoniously inaugurated. Mayor Kristian Kater emphasized the increasing demands placed on fire brigade operations and the need for the fire brigade to respond to technical developments. The city attaches great importance to modern vehicles that enable emergency services to work efficiently.

The new command vehicle, which bears the name “Florian Vechta 16-11-1”, is a true technology transporter and replaces a 23-year-old predecessor. At the inauguration ceremony, Kater emphasized how important support from society, politics and administration is for the important work of the fire departments. With an investment of around 350,000 euros, which was decided by the city council in 2023, this ELW is an important element for the safety of citizens.

Technical equipment

From a technical point of view, the new ELW leaves nothing to be desired. Equipped with two PC workstations, tablets for direct information recording and a separate meeting room, the vehicle not only offers space for operations management, but also for planning and evaluating operations. A large monitor that can be extended makes it easier to present the situation during operational briefings.

The crew of the new car is made up of members of the special ELW group, which supports the coordination and documentation of measures. Everything has also been thought of in the rear, where all relevant equipment is stored.

Vehicle details and special features

When you look at the technical specifications, the ELW boasts impressive details. Built on a Mercedes Benz Sprinter 519 CDI, the vehicle weighs a total of 5,000 kg and produces 190 hp. The car has, among other things, an MBUX infotainment system, cruise control and multifunctional steering wheel controls. The equipment is also impressive: from a THULE® Omnistor 6300 awning to two powerful air conditioning systems in the radio and meeting room, everything is available.

A refrigerator ensures the physical well-being of the emergency services, while digital deployment plans and communication devices such as digital handheld radios or a mobile light tower make work on site easier. Particularly noteworthy is the drone, a DJI Matrice M30T, which is equipped with a thermal imaging camera to provide optimal support for operations from the air.

By the way, the old command vehicle was successfully auctioned off in an online auction. Not only was a new chapter opened for the Vechta fire department, but an important step was also taken towards ecological sustainability. The new ELW will be operational from spring 2025, which will further increase the anticipation among firefighters and the public.

Overall, it shows that the Vechta Volunteer Fire Department is ideally positioned with its new command vehicle to meet the challenges of modern operations. “A good hand for the future of the fire department!” would be an appropriate comment that captures the importance of this moment.