Arriving at an emergency scene a few minutes quicker can make a critical difference for responding fire and rescue teams and citizens in need. In Bursa, one of Türkiye’s biggest industrial and population centers, the fire department conducts intensive training programs to improve response times. Firefighters in Bursa respond to emergency situations around the clock, including fires, traffic accidents, floods and search and rescue operations. Expansive residential areas, heavy traffic, narrow urban roads, and an increasing number of incidents make it vital for the crew’s emergency vehicles to be powerful, fast, durable, and easy for drivers to operate.
The Bursa Metropolitan Municipality Fire Department operates 30 stations, inclusive of 675 personnel and 136 vehicles. In 2025, the department responded to 21,670 emergency situations, averaging more than two responses every hour throughout the calendar year. The frequency and stakes spotlight the critical importance of high-performance vehicles to provide maneuverability and uninterrupted performance for the brave teams operating across a service area of 10,866 square kilometers (4,195 square miles).
Technical training in support of efficiency
During the technical training sessions, fire crew drivers received detailed education covering features of the automatic transmissions, recommended driving techniques, and operational instruction for best controlling the fire trucks in emergency response situations. Subjects such as rapid maneuvering in narrow spaces, the need for sudden acceleration, driver comfort, and vehicle control during extended hours were the educational topics which stood out in the training sessions.
Uninterrupted delivery of power supports continuity in operations
Bursa’s growing population and expanding residential areas require its fire crews to operate across larger regions in shorter periods of time. When navigating heavy urban traffic, rapid vehicle acceleration and driver focus are of the highest priority.
Süleyman Boylu, Head of Bursa Fire Department, stated: “With Allison fully automatic transmissions, we achieve rapid acceleration and increased speed. Furthermore, our drivers can maintain full control of the vehicle and focus on the emergency response, as the Allison fully automatic transmission provides continuous power delivery without the performance interruptions typically experienced during AMT gear changes. Therefore, for emergency teams,response time and driver focus are improved.”
Meanwhile, the risk of fires can be higher in industrial areas and Bursa is one of Türkiye’s major industrial cities. Süleyman Boylu stated: “Thanks to Allison fully automatic transmissions, the vehicles provide superior maneuverability and greater vehicle control, enabling our crews to operate with confidence even in challenging urban environments. Additionally, the pumps can operate while the vehicle is in motion.”
Positive operational experience leads to new investments
In burgeoning cities like Bursa, fire service operations must be able to respond quickly and have a high availability of vehicles, meaning reduced vehicle downtime is integral. Allison fully automatic transmissions help maximize vehicle uptime through reduced maintenance requirements, including the elimination of clutch replacements. Supported by a strong local aftermarket service network, Allison and its service partners ensure emergency vehicles are ready for dispatch while helping to reduce overall lifecycle costs.
The operational results achieved with Allison-equipped vehicles have influenced Bursa Fire Department’s vehicle investment strategy. Following the successful deployment of its existing fleet, the department completed the tender and procurement process for seven new Allison equipped Volvo Trucks FL fire engines. The new vehicles, which are planned to be used for firefighting and search and rescue operations in central Bursa, are expected to roll into service soon.