New command vehicle proves its worth during bomb disposal in Mannheim's Almenhof district
(Mannheim, 11.02.2022) The operation of the alliance "4 für Euch" to defuse an aerial bomb from the Second World War and the associated evacuation measures went smoothly from the point of view of the aid organizations in Mannheim. A total of around 1,000 people had to leave their houses and apartments during the operation. The relief organizations in Mannheim coordinated the care center at the Moll Gymnasium. Around 66 people were cared for and fed here by the four aid organizations ASB Mannheim/Rhine-Neckar Region e.V., DRK-Kreisverband Mannheim e.V., Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe e.V. Regionalverband Baden and Malteser Hilfsdienst e.V.. They also provided transport capacity for citizens who were unable to leave their homes without assistance. Other forces also took over the catering of the emergency forces on site. Once again, the reliable, fast and uncomplicated cooperation proved its worth. For the first time, a new command vehicle was called in for an operation of this magnitude. "This command support unit has really proved its worth," says Hendrik Maier, rescue service manager of ASB Mannheim/Rhine-Neckar Region.
Command vehicle in operation since January
The new vehicle was purchased and financed by ASB Mannheim/Rhine-Neckar Region e.V. at the beginning of the year. The cost was around 150,000 euros. In the future, the vehicle will be used in a joint unit of the Johanniter and ASB rescue services and will be closely integrated into joint actions of the alliance. The vehicle will be used to provide support in the context of larger alerts in the rescue service and in civil protection. Here, the four rescue services take turns in the areas of command, treatment, transport and catering/logistics on an interim basis. All information comes together in the command vehicle, and the personnel also maintain contact with the control center, the fire department and the hospitals. The vehicle resembles a rolling office, offers four fully functional workstations and is equipped with modern communications technology. Among other things, this includes analog and digital radios, telephones, computers, printers and scanners with the corresponding software and EDP. In addition, the vehicle has a retractable light and radio mast and emergency power generators. In the future, the vehicle can be requested as standard via the control centers and will be used across the organizations. The 5.2-ton vehicle is stationed at the rescue station in Mannheim-Käfertal and can be dispatched from there at any time and immediately. This state-of-the-art command vehicle significantly improves communication during rescue operations and enables rapid coordination with all parties involved. The aid organizations in Mannheim and the Rhine-Neckar district are thus making a further important contribution to protecting the population. For major emergencies and catastrophes, a larger command vehicle from the Mannheim District Association of the German Red Cross is also available for the Mannheim/Rhine-Neckar District area.
Rescue service in Mannheim well positioned
A total of around 745 employees work in the rescue service at the four aid organizations, and 126 young people are undergoing training. In addition, there are another 85 people who are doing either federal voluntary service or a voluntary social year with the organizations. This means that the rescue service in the Mannheim/Rhine-Neckar area is well positioned and has no capacity problem. The rescue organizations also invest regularly in equipment and vehicles in order to keep up with the latest technology.