Fire Services Get Daimler Training

German fire services have been provided with several training practice sessions by Daimler to learn how to apply a variety of rescue options with the aid of the very latest models. The carmaker also offered different rescue strategies for specific models. The training took place in a hall specially prepared at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen.

The simulation scenario simulated a Mercedes-Benz GLK crashing into a tree at high speed without braking, heavily deforming the vehicle's bodywork.

As part of the simulated rescue of the occupants, the rescue services must first of all open and remove the doors using special spreading and cutting tools. The roof pillars then need to be separated using hydraulic cutters, so that the roof can be lifted off.

The importance of this training is highlighted by Andreas Wilhelm, a member of the Baden-Baden fire service: "Daimler is providing us with some unique practical training here. It is particularly important to learn not only about the latest vehicles themselves, but also how to deal with them in rescue conditions. Normally we have to practise such exercises using scrap cars, which in technical terms are outdated and therefore only of limited use when it comes to preparing for our rescue attempts."

In addition to the GLK, other models playing a role in the training included a Saloon and a Coupe from the new E-Klasse series, an A-Klasse, as well as a smart coupe and a smart cabrio.

According to Thomas Hofer, a member of the Daimler works fire service, "The participants in our training sessions are always surprised to learn that the size of a vehicle often bears little relation to its stability and resilience."
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