Fire and emergency services today operate in an environment shaped by the increasing complexity of interventions, the expansion of urban areas, rising traffic density and constant pressure to minimize response times. As a result, the technical criteria used to design and select emergency vehicles are being fundamentally redefined. In this context, factors such as rapid acceleration from standstill, maneuverability in complex urban environments, high-speed vehicle control and reliability under severe duty cycles play a decisive role in the day-to-day operations of fire services.

An Increasingly Demanding Mission Profile   Fire service operations are no longer limited to firefighting alone. A growing share of interventions involves rescue operations following traffic accidents, floods, extreme weather events, search and rescue missions, and preventive operations in industrial and densely populated urban areas. From a technical standpoint, these missions require rapid acceleration, high-pressure driving conditions and vehicles capable of operating under severe duty cycles. Fire trucks are subject to constant start-stop operation, abrupt load variations and, in many cases, prolonged idling combined with high torque demands.

Fully Automatic Transmissions: Continuous Power Delivery and Control In fire and emergency applications, the transmission plays a critical role. Vehicle acceleration capability, uninterrupted power delivery, vehicle control and driveline protection all depend on transmission performance. In this context, fully automatic transmissions with torque converters offer technical advantages over manual or automated manual transmissions (AMTs). This is because they provide continuous power delivery to the wheels without interruption during gear shifts. According to Thomas Huber, Chief Fire Officer of the Vienna Professional Fire Brigade, this continuous power results in “excellent traction and rapid acceleration, which is especially crucial in urban traffic where response time matters.”

“A fully automatic transmission makes the work of our emergency services much easier, as drivers can rely on vehicle performance and maintain full control,” Huber said.

Severe Duty Cycles, Reliability and Mechanical Protection

The severe duty cycles to which fire vehicles are subjected place significant mechanical stress on the driveline. In this respect, fully automatic transmissions provide an additional technical advantage by acting as a buffer against torque peaks.

The torque converter absorbs sudden load changes and reduces stress on critical components such as axles, differentials and secondary driveline elements. This translates into greater long-term reliability and a reduced risk of breakdowns.

This robustness is particularly valued in emergency applications. As Helmut Sonnendorfer, a service manager closely involved with fire brigade fleets in Austria, puts it: “Since the first fire engines equipped with Allison transmissions entered service, I can recall only minor issues and not a single serious transmission failure. They simply work.”

A Paradigm Shift: From Manual and AMT to Fully Automatic Transmissions

From a training and technical perspective, the sector ismoving toward solutions that reduce driver workload and enhance vehicle control.

In Germany, the Baden-Württemberg State Firefighters School has observed a clear shift in technological preferences. “The trend is moving away from manual transmissions, and we clearly recommend automatic transmissions for firefighting vehicles,” says Kersten Wachter, responsible for technology and vehicle procurement at the Baden-Württemberg State Firefighters School. This shift is driven by operational and vehicle control considerations rather than comfort alone.

However, not all automatic transmissions offer the same level of driver support. As Trond Johansen, Director of Sales for Allison Transmission Europe, explains, “A fully automatic transmission, with a shift strategy calibrated for emergency vehicles, significantly reduces driver workload. An automated manual transmission does not provide the same level of support.”

The Value of the Hydraulic Retarder: Vehicle Control 

In emergency vehicle operation, acceleration performance and braking capability are critical to the vehicle’s control. Fully automatic transmissions equipped with an integrated hydraulic retarder provide an effective auxiliary braking system independent of the service brakes. Coupled with smooth shifting, this system enables better speed control on long downhill gradients and during high-speed approaches, reducing thermal stress on the primary braking system and improving overall vehicle stability. 

Real-World Evidence in Bursa, Turkey

These technical considerations are also reflected in real fleet decisions. A recent example is the fire department of the city of Bursa, Turkey, a major metropolitan area with more than 3.2 million inhabitants and high traffic and industrial density, which has reinforced its fleet with ten new Mercedes-Benz Atego fire engines equipped with Allison fully automatic transmissions.

"Based on the positive experience with vehicles equipped with Allison fully automatic transmissions, we decided to continue investing in this technology due to its user-friendly driving characteristics, low failure rate and high operational efficiency."
- Canalp Berkdemir, Chief of the Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department

 

The operational conditions faced by many fire services closely mirror these scenarios: dense urban traffic, complex city centers, the need for rapid response and an increasingly diverse range of missions.

In this context, selecting vehicles equipped with fully automatic transmissions specifically designed for emergency applications can make a significant difference in terms of vehicle control, operational effectiveness and fleet availability, supporting technical decision-making with real-world experience from other fire departments.

Application in Spain: Presence at SICUR 2026

At SICUR 2026, several Spanish bodybuilders showcased emergency vehicles equipped with Allison fully automatic transmissions, reflecting this industry trend toward solutions that prioritize reliability, control, and operational performance.

Among them, a Scania P460 4x4 double cab, configured as a Heavy Rural Fire Engine (BRP), stood out. Delivered to the Tenerife Fire Consortium, the unit is equipped with an Allison 4000 Series™ transmission with integrated retarder, enhancing the vehicle’s braking efficiency.

“At FENIKS, we particularly value the smooth driving performance and the agility that the Allison fully automatic transmission provides in emergency situations. In addition, its configuration facilitates the integration of high-capacity power take-offs positioned to optimize the proper operation of the fire pump,” explains Miguel Ángel Castillo, Product Manager of the Firefighting Division at FENIKS.

At the VEICAR stand, another Scania was on display, this time the P420 B4x2NB model, part of a two-unit urban supply (4x2 B-1 and 4x4 T-1) for Bilbao Fire Department (Bilbao Suhiltzaileak). The showcased vehicle is equipped with an Allison 4000 Series™ fully automatic transmission with retarder and Chelsea power take-off, full air suspension and a six-seat double cab. The VEICAR/Jacinto body incorporates a 3,500-liter water tank and a world-first innovation: a Jacinto combined high- and low-pressure pump (3,000 l/min at 10 bar and 400 l/min at 40 bar), fully manufactured in stainless steel. “At VEICAR, Allison is a safe bet. What we value most about these fully automatic transmissions is their reliability, the dynamic acceleration they provide for more agile response, and the precise tuning achieved with the firefighting pumps we install,” explains Carlos Prieto-Puga González, CEO of VEICAR.