New rescue on four wheels: Laxenburg's fire brigade is strengthening!

New rescue on four wheels: Laxenburg's fire brigade is strengthening!

On August 14, 2025, the Laxenburg Volunteer Fire Department in Lower Austria put a new command vehicle into operation. This model, known as “Kommando 2 Laxenburg”, replaces a Nissan Pathfinder that has provided faithful service for over twelve years. The old car will be sold at market value and donated to the Ukrainian Civil Defense Association in Kharkiv, reflecting the support of the international community. The total costs for the new vehicle amount to around 60,000 euros, with half of the financing coming from the market town of Laxenburg and half from the volunteer fire department itself. The fire brigade funding comes from income from festivals, donations and local sponsors, while a tax break for fire engines, according to the German Motor Vehicle Tax Act are tax-exempt becomes.

The new vehicle, a Mercedes GLB 200D 4MATIC, impresses with its automatic transmission and an engine output of 110 kW or 150 hp. It is equipped with modern assistance and security systems that ensure the safety of the emergency services and citizens. The fire brigade is planning a service life of around 20 years, which is supplemented by extensive basic fire brigade technology, including fire extinguishers and radio devices.

Technical equipment and areas of application

The possible uses of the new command vehicle are diverse. It is used for module and course visits, business trips and for support in various operational situations and in disaster relief services. It also serves as a towing vehicle for a Zille trailer, which increases the necessary flexibility for various applications.

The Laxenburg Volunteer Fire Department has also purchased a new personnel transport vehicle. The Mercedes Benz Vito 190 CDI 4×4 has a diesel engine with 190 hp and a modern automatic transmission. Other features include all-wheel drive, LED headlights and a reversing camera. This investment represents part of the fire department's newly planned logistics component and makes the transport of fire department youth and emergency teams much easier. The Vito could also act as support in the event of a disaster, especially when transporting pallets and roll containers.

Financing and support

The financing of this vehicle is similar to that of the command vehicle, shared between the Laxenburg Volunteer Fire Department, the market town and the state of Lower Austria. This shows the close cooperation between various institutions to improve the safety and operational readiness of the fire department.

Those responsible at the Laxenburg Volunteer Fire Department, especially the project team around Herbert Griessler, Christian Blei and Daniel Hiller, were actively involved in the procurement of the new vehicle. The procurement aims to increase logistical readiness and thus guarantee the people in Laxenburg optimal protection.

The modernization of the vehicle fleet of the Laxenburg Volunteer Fire Department is an important signal for safety in the region and a commitment to supporting the volunteer fire departments, which often carry out life-saving operations in emergencies.