The MAN from the Rescue Service
The regional office of the Bavarian Red Cross (BRK) centrally procures around 90 patient transport vehicles (KTW) per year for all providers of the Bavarian rescue service. Previously this was only for aid organizations, but since the BayRDG legislative amendment, private companies, which now receive service concessions for public ambulance transport as part of the tendering process, have also been included.
BRK and other rescue services currently have a total of 585 ambulances available for use in the Bavarian rescue service. In 2022, they carried out an incredible total of 639,600 ambulance transports throughout Bavaria.
The interior of the KTW BY 2023.
The pandemic decides
The procurement decision for the 2023 KTW BY had to be made in mid-2022, when the effects and after-effects of pandemic-related restrictions on the supply of vehicles and components were still having a massive impact on vehicle availability on markets worldwide. Among other things, electronic components were still in short supply at the time, meaning that securing the supply of basic vehicles for its centrally procured rescue equipment had to be an absolute priority for the BRK.
As a result, the decision was made in 2022 to purchase the MAN TGE base vehicle for the first time, not least because of its availability. Indeed, Bavarian ambulances had all been built on a Ford Transit platform since 2010. In addition to the economic considerations, other aspects in favor of this decision were available interior space, the extensive assistance systems, and the heating and air conditioning system of the base vehicle, which could be deployed in the patient compartment.
Two variants in use
The current generation of “Bavaria 2023” ambulances (KTW BY 2023) will now all be built on the MAN TGE 3.140 (103 kW/ 140 hp) platform. In addition to the standard version with front-wheel drive and an 8-speed automatic transmission, a variant with all-wheel drive will also be procured for locations with demanding topographical and climatic requirements. A manual six-speed gearbox is to be installed in these to comply with the permissible gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 3,500 kg.
Once again, Ambulanz Mobile from Schönebeck (Elbe) is responsible for transforming the MAN KTW into an ambulance, providing large plastic parts for the interior. In addition to the assistance systems of the basic vehicle, there are further features such as a turning camera on the right and a special reversing warning system.
Although the vehicles can be used to provide first aid in emergencies and are conceptually equipped for this, they are not actually emergency ambulances. All KTW BY 2023 are equipped in accordance with the standard specifications for a type A2 vehicle according to DIN EN 1789:2020 - and carry additional equipment (Corpuls 1 ECG with AED and pulse oximetry, scoop stretcher, vacuum mattress, emergency backpack, oxygen bag, etc.). All KTW BY 2023 ambulances are equipped with power-assisted stretchers and loading systems, and the stretcher chairs used are also fitted with a removable drive module to relieve the demands on the emergency crews and improve ergonomics.
Power-assisted stretcher half-extended [1] and extended [2.]
According to current plans, the current procurement series will run until the end of 2026. From next year, a model-maintained MAN TGE 3.160 will be used.
