Happy memory on a fire brigade old-timer

A new vehicle is always cause for celebration: The crew at the Werneck fire brigade are likewise happy to receive their new MAN TGM. But not without reminiscing about the time they spent with the MAN old-timer, which was reliably in use here before the new MAN truck featuring a lion arrived.

As we all know, pictures often say much more than words. One of these pictures was taken by the team of Werneck firefighters and shows the old and new MAN fire engines used by the firefighters in this market town in the middle of Main Franconia. The crew are very happy with the new vehicle, a MAN TGM 13.290 4×4 BL, but they also look back fondly on the days spent with their old equipment vehicle – a truck based on the MAN 13.168 HA. The joint photo shoot of the two firefighting lions therefore combines the nostalgia of the old with the magic of the new. The “Bomber”, as the team of firefighters affectionately called the old MAN because of its slightly protruding shape, is associated with many anecdotes that are always fondly remembered here.

To start at the beginning, it must first be told how the MAN came to the Werneck fire brigade in the first place: “The MAN 13.168 HA in a round bonnet design with tarpaulin body was originally procured in 1980 as a decontamination vehicle by the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) and stationed at the Werneck fire brigade as part of the Schweinfurt district NBC Unit,” reports Holger Mai, who is responsible for press and public relations at the Werneck fire brigade.

“After a reorganisation of the NBC Unit, the vehicle was then taken over by the Werneck fire brigade into its own vehicle fleet in 2012 and converted into an equipment truck for logistics. With the tail lift at the rear, the vehicle was perfect for logistical tasks.” We also learn that the MAN had an additional 1500-litre water tank and was also used to transport the fire brigade’s own inflatable boat.

Really hard work, but also a lot of fun

In actual fact, the fire brigade’s old-timer did not always make it easy for the emergency services; the driver in particular had his hands full moving the truck. This was mainly down to with the large steering wheel and the non-synchronised gearbox. One firefighter remembers how much respect he had for these drivers after taking his first familiarisation ride on the round bonnet fire truck shortly after passing his driving test.

While driving the MAN, another fire brigade member reminisced about his time in the German Armed Forces, where he was allowed to drive a very similar vehicle model for 13 months and had many positive experiences with it.

What everyone agrees on is that the old truck was always reliable and worked whenever it was needed. Even a 30-kilometre stretch on the motorway with snow chains was no problem. Small cosmetic corrections were needed to the interior only over the course of time, when the headliner began to come loose. This was replaced by a wooden ceiling, and to make the already cosy-looking interior even more homely, a hanging basket of flowers was also added.

In the meantime, everyone has got used to using the new MAN fire truck. But one thing is certain,  the memory of the MAN Hauber lives on. The large painting of the charming old-timer that adorns the wall of the common room alone ensures this.

“The picture of our Bomber will certainly cause one or two members of the fire brigade to reminisce in the future.”

Holger Mai