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Vicky the Wurstbude
She's a Katastrophenschutz führungskraftwagen (FüKW) based on a VW Type 23 (Kombi model). She's from Bersenbruck in the district of Osnabruck and served at the Fire Station there and at the Technical Centre, also in Bersenbruck. There were three of these vehicles based at Bersenbruck Fire Station of which Vicky was the first and she stayed for 10 years before moving on to the Training and Technical centre (the FTZ). The second FüKW spent longer at the fire station and gained a coat of red paint to match the rest of the fire engines. The third, exactly the same as Vicky, was also based at the fire station for a time but was sold off a couple of years ago (2005 ish). Vicky was in service in Bersenbruck from 1980 until April 2007!
During their time at Bersenbruck, Vicky and her sisters gained the nickname of 'Wurstbude' (Sausage Stand) after the then Chief Fire Officer of Bersenbruck, Friedmud Wurst. After we were told of this, we felt it was only right to continue the tradition and so Vicky became Vicky the Wurstbude! And yes, Herr Wurst does know about it!
Vicky would have had an important part to play in disaster situations as a communications and control unit. She would have had 4 aerials and 2-3 radios, built in power generator, cupboards, map table, signs, flags, axe, shovel, tools and standard to coordinate rescue efforts. Vicky was used as part of the rescue effort during the large Oder flood in 1997. (Thanks to Ansgar and Reinhard Welp for providing me with that information)
She is our new camper and show vehicle and the radio accessories to complement her original kit are accumulating!
There are a handful of these types of Bus in the UK, imported by The Bus Bros and others. There's not too much information about them on the web so i hope this fills the gap a little! This is one of 112 that were converted by Brunn, Bonn for the German Disaster Reaction Force (Katastrophenschutz) between 1977 and 1980. Manufactured by VW in 1977 and then shipped to Brunn, Bonn with the other 111, they were converted and stored until all 112 were completed. Some (how many i don't know) Type 21's were converted for Katastrophenschutz purposes too. They are easily identifiable as they are only half glazed (no rearmost side windows).
When the batch was ready in 1980, the buses were registered and then distributed to the regional centres to add to the network of disaster response services.
The only thing missing is the Reacto Hazard Shades...you know, the ones that, when you are wearing them and come upon a hazardous situation, instantly turn completely black. (its a Hitchhikers' thing)
This is Wurstbude No.3 on 'exercise' with the IUK gruppe (Information and Communications group). She is Vicky's twin, with identical fittings and door lettering (which is mostly missing from Vicky). Of course all three would have looked like this until No.2 got painted Red. (Photo Courtesy of Osnabruck Regional Fire Department)
Ansgar Pellenwessel from Vicky's home fire station of Bersenbruck has been extremely helpful tracking down information and photos of Vicky the Wurstbude from her days in service. This first picture shows Vicky (No.1) (one of the Bay window buses...not sure which!) and her other Bersenbruck stablemate (No3) at the Bad Nenndorf Katastrophenschutz (Disaster Control) Training Centre in the 80's. Note the THW vehicles too.
Here's a shot of the Bersenbruck crew from around 1991. Our friend Ansgar can be seen back row, far right. Reinhard Welp who has helped with pinpointing where the three T23's were deployed is on front row, 2nd from left. And last but by no means least is Friedmut Wurst, Front row 6th from left. He gave his name to the three T23's, they were all Wurstbudes (sausage stands!) and the name continues to this day with 'Vicky the Wurstbude'! Also note the T3 transporter in the last bay.
Thanks are due again to Ansgar for asking around at Bersenbruck for information and photos, non of this would be possible without his help! Cheers Ansgar! Also thank you to the other staff at Bersenbruck who have taken the time to dig out their old photographs and recall memories of Vicky and her sisters it really does help to add colour to her history. Keep up the good work!
See the Bughaus Forum for more Katastrophenschutz Group UK chat
See Page 2 for the gallery and Katastrophenschutz Resources
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Other Katastrophenschutz vehicles....
Apparently, i can't have one of these... well not a full sized one anyway :))
She is fitted with a blue beacon, two tones and a utilitarian lack of chrome. Most other vans from the factory would have chrome mirrors, bumpers and hubcaps but some of the factory specials had different spec's like this one.
The interior looks similar to a camper with forward and rear facing seats with a table between with various cupboards and curtains.
She has one of the three roof mount aerials in situ with the mount for a large multi part mast on the rear corner,with a step on the rear bumper to assist in rigging. There is an earth point to tether the van to an earth spike for Radio transmission and reception.
She is fitted with a power pack and power consumption meter and would have originally had a separate generator.
She has an Ebespacher heater (now working thanks to Dave and 'Veronica' for providing the donor relay!) for those chilly nights, ideal for camping!
