At a cost of 2.7 million euros

New vehicles: the Graz professional fire department is upgrading

Martin Trampusch, Fire Director Klaus Baumgartner, City Councillor Manfred Eber and Gernot Ranftl (from left).(Bild: Juergen Fuchs)

The people of Graz and their professional fire department can look forward to an early Christmas present: in future, the firefighters will be deploying three new turntable ladder vehicles for operations in the provincial capital.

In October 2022, the municipal council decided to purchase them because the old turntable ladders were already 25 years old.

2.7 million euros flowed from Manfred Eber's city coffers: "This is an important step for the safety of our city," said the KPÖ city councillor for finance in an interview with Krone. And this is what the investment brings: together with the fire engines, the new vehicles form the heart of a fire-fighting team and are deployed in the "first wave" at every fire. The large operational area: rescuing people, extinguishing fires or rescuing from high buildings.

Less noise and exhaust fumes
Another plus: the new vehicles reduce exhaust fumes and noise pollution.

"The commitment and motivation within the team are very good - and a modern fleet of vehicles boosts this image," says Klaus Baumgartner, Graz Fire Director.