Frankfurt's mobile help
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A UNIQUE fullyequipped mobile operating theatre/ambulance has been introduced by the Frankfurt Fire Brigade as part of a modernisation programme.
The programme also includes the construction of two iveco-basecl heavy equipment carriers suitable for road operation as well as on sections of the underground railway which are only accessible by rail.
The novel ambulance, built to the specification of the Frankfurt fire service, is based on Neoplan N 907 rnidibus running units.
The vehicle has a frontmounted power unit and full air suspension. Apart from providing optimum ride characteristics for accident casualties, this also enables the body to be lowered by 250mm for access over a ramp at the rear.
This is automatically lowered, and extended, when the outrigger-type double doors are opened so that a stretcher can be wheeled straight in.
Another door is provided at the nearside front behind the driving cab which is sealed off from the "clinical" section.
Excellent service experience with the prototype has been reflected in a further order for a vehicle of this design.
The interior arrangement and installation of specialist medical equipment, including resuscitation gear, was carried out by Bins and Company, of Lorch, leading German ambulance producer.
The road-railers, based on air-cooled cngined lveco-Magirus chassis are fitted with equipment lockers surrounded by a perimeter footplate so that all sections can be reached in the restricted clearances of tunnels or other railonly sections to which the vehicle may he called out.
In normal road service, the Schiirling rail running gear is retracted under the chassis; it is lowered on to the rail at a suitable changeover point (cg, at the entrance to a tunnel ramp). when traction is provided by the rear wheels of the truck.
The front wheels are then lifted clear of the track.
To comply with the stringent requirements governing the operation of motor vehicles in tunnels the new dual-purpose vehicles are fitted with catalytic convertors.