A command vehicle (KdoW) is a specially equipped vehicle that is mainly used in Germany as a command vehicle for the fire department, as a command vehicle for the German Life Saving Association (DLRG) and as a command vehicle for the German Red Cross (DRK) in order to coordinate operations quickly and efficiently. These vehicles, which belong to the category of command vehicles (ELW), enable managers to arrive quickly at the scene of an emergency, assess the situation and make the necessary decisions before other forces arrive. They provide a mobile operations center for small to medium-sized operations.
Standardization and equipment
In Germany, a command vehicle must comply with the DIN 14507-5 standard in order to be recognized as such. This standard specifies various requirements, such as vehicle weight, equipment and minimum crew size. According to the standard, the command vehicle must weigh between 1.7 and 3.5 tons and offer space for at least three people, including the driver.
Command vehicles are usually based on standard passenger car models, such as estate cars, vans or off-road vehicles, which have the advantage of being faster at the scene of an emergency than larger emergency vehicles thanks to their compactness and maneuverability. Four-wheel drive in particular is an important factor when operations have to be carried out in remote or inaccessible areas, such as forest fires or accidents in rough terrain.
The typical equipment features of a command vehicle for the fire department, for example, include
- Radio technology for communication with the emergency services
- Special signaling systems such as blue light and siren
- Breathing apparatus for exploration in hazardous environments
- Management materials such as site plans and tablets for coordinating operations
Advantages of a command vehicle: fire department and DRK as examples
The main advantage of a command vehicle is its mobility and flexibility. As this special vehicle is based on a conventional car, it can arrive at the scene of an emergency faster than other larger emergency vehicles, such as a fire department's ELW. This allows managers to carry out an initial assessment of the situation and make important decisions before the larger units arrive.
For smaller operations that do not require extensive equipment, the command vehicle offers an efficient way of providing initial coordination and command. Rapid deployment is particularly important for fire departments, which are often active in rural areas. Here, the all-wheel drive is a decisive advantage in order to be able to operate in rough terrain.
Differentiation between command vehicle and ELW at the fire department
In contrast to the command vehicle, the fire department's command vehicle is significantly smaller and designed for the coordination of smaller operations. While the command vehicle is equipped in accordance with the DIN 14507-2 standard and has significantly more extensive communication technology and space for a larger crew, the command vehicle is more of a mobile command unit for limited operations. Medical task force vehicles, for example, are more comparable to the fire department's ELW and do not fall under the command vehicle standard.
This means that a command vehicle for the fire department, a command vehicle for the DRK or the DLRG is an indispensable management tool for their operations. With its special equipment and the ability to move through difficult terrain, it provides incident commanders with the necessary mobility and means of communication to take the first decisive measures. In this way, it ensures that operations can be optimally coordinated right from the initial phase.
