Island rescue Borkum –
Rescuing where others go on holiday
Borkum. The largest of the East Frisian Islands, a dream destination for tourists – and a workplace for real lifesavers. One of them is Frank Refke. He has been a paramedic for 24 years and has been head of the German Red Cross rescue station on the island for over a decade. The fact that island life is anything but quiet is evident from the moment he starts talking: ‘I may have to leave you in the middle of a sentence – we've already had three call-outs today.’
Rescue to the island rhythm with the WAS electro emergency ambulance
Those who save lives on Borkum live in a systematic state of emergency: seven days at a time, 168 hours alternating between call-outs and rest. The team – two groups of three – comes from the mainland and lives in a kind of ‘rescue flat share’ directly above the vehicle hall. A communal kitchen, single rooms, a living area – everything they need is there. What is also there is a great deal of team spirit, reliability and a well-rehearsed routine that saves lives in an emergency.
The right partner for the right location:
The WAS 500 electro emergency vehicle
To ensure that the team is also optimally equipped for mobile use, a new vehicle was found with the support of WAS that meets the special requirements on the island: the WAS 500 elctro emergency vehicle. Project manager Christoph Stegemann accompanied the selection process – and gave the team four weeks to put the vehicle through its paces. The verdict was clear: the vehicle impressed across the board. Today, it is impossible to imagine everyday life on the island without it – quiet, efficient and reliable.
Learn more
E-mobility? Perfect for the island.
Short distances, reliable charging facilities and an environmentally friendly environment – these are perfect conditions for electric emergency ambulances. Charging takes place immediately after the patient is handed over at the island hospital, and it usually only takes a few minutes to replenish the percentage of battery power used. For transport to the mainland, the emergency services use helicopters or rescue boats – cooperation with air and sea rescue services runs smoothly.
A location with vision
Borkum has a population of around 5,000 – but in 2023, it welcomed over 300,000 holidaymakers. That means peak season for the rescue team. From swimming accidents to COPD-related breathing difficulties, the variety of incidents they deal with is huge. For Frank Refke and his team, Borkum has long been more than just a place of work: ‘The connection to the island and the people here is something very special.’
What does this tell us?
Innovations such as the WAS 500 electric emergency ambulance make modern rescue services possible even under special conditions. And with people like Frank Refke and his team, one thing is clear: it takes more than technology – it takes passion.
Customised emergency ambulances: built for your operational reality
Every location brings its own challenges. That's why at WAS we don't develop off-the-shelf vehicles, but tailor-made emergency ambulances that are precisely tailored to your requirements, your environment and your processes. Whether in the city, in the countryside or on an island – we deliver tailor-made solutions that make all the difference in an emergency.
Learn more
Your contact person
Simone
Bergmann
Head of Marketing/Communications
![[Translate to English:] Simone Bergmann, Head of Marketing, WAS](/fileadmin/_processed_/a/1/csm_Simone_Bergmann_Head-of-Marketing_WAS_b2002fe1ff.webp "Simone Bergmann")