die  Drehleiter

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈdʁeːˌlaɪtɐ/

🚒 What exactly is a Drehleiter?

The German word die Drehleiter refers to a specific type of emergency vehicle, commonly known in English as a turntable ladder. It's primarily used by firefighters (die Feuerwehr). It consists of a vehicle chassis (usually a truck) and an extendable, rotatable set of ladders, often equipped with a rescue cage (Rettungskorb) at the end.

Its purpose is to rescue people from heights (Höhenrettung), fight fires from above (Brandbekämpfung), and provide technical assistance.

The noun is feminine, hence the article die: die Drehleiter.

🚨 Be careful: Don't confuse it with a simple portable ladder (einfache Leiter) or extension ladder (Schiebeleiter).

🧐 Grammar Deep Dive: Die Drehleiter

The noun "Drehleiter" is feminine. Here are the declension tables (Deklinationstabellen):

Example Sentences (Beispielsätze)

1. Die Feuerwehr rückte mit der Drehleiter an. (The fire department arrived with the turntable ladder.)
2. Die Höhe der Drehleiter ist beeindruckend. (The height of the turntable ladder is impressive.)
3. Mit der Drehleiter konnten die Personen gerettet werden. (With the turntable ladder, the people could be rescued.)
4. Der Einsatzleiter forderte die Drehleiter an. (The incident commander requested the turntable ladder.)
5. In der Fahrzeughalle stehen mehrere Drehleitern. (There are several turntable ladders in the vehicle bay.)

🔧 How and When to Use "Drehleiter"

The term "Drehleiter" is almost exclusively used in the context of fire departments (Feuerwehr) and rescue services (Rettungsdienste). It refers specifically to this type of vehicle and apparatus.

• Typical situations: Rescues from upper floors, fighting fires from outside/above, accessing high objects (e.g., trees, roofs), technical assistance (e.g., clearing storm damage).
• Abbreviation: In firefighter jargon (Feuerwehrjargon), the abbreviation "DLK" (Drehleiter mit Korb - turntable ladder with cage) or less commonly "DL" (Drehleiter ohne Korb - without cage) is often used, followed by numbers indicating the nominal rescue height and outreach (e.g., DLK 23/12 means 23 meters nominal rescue height at 12 meters outreach).
• Comparison: A "Drehleiter" is more complex and versatile than a simple "Leiter" (ladder). It's part of a vehicle, whereas a "Leiter" is usually portable. It also differs from other aerial rescue vehicles like a "Teleskopmast" (telescopic mast).

🧠 Mnemonics for Drehleiter

Article Mnemonic: Think of a regular ladder, die Leiter. Since Leiter is feminine ('die'), the special turning ladder, die Drehleiter, stays feminine: die Drehleiter.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine the big ladder on the fire truck that turns (dreht sich) to reach high places. Dreh (turn) + Leiter (ladder) = Drehleiter (turntable ladder).

🔄 Similar and Opposite Terms

⚠️ Potential for Confusion: Sometimes "Leiterwagen" (ladder wagon) is used synonymously, but this can also refer to historical, horse-drawn fire engines.

😂 A Little Joke

Warum nehmen Feuerwehrmänner nie Karten mit zum Einsatz?
(Why do firefighters never take maps on a mission?)

Weil sie immer eine Drehleiter dabei haben, um zu sehen, wo es langgeht! 😉
(Because they always have a turntable ladder to see which way to go! - A pun, as the ladder helps them 'see' high up/get direction)

📜 Poem about the Drehleiter

Hoch hinaus, zum Fenster, zum Dach,
(High up, to the window, to the roof,)
die Leiter sich dreht, hält sicher und wach.
(The ladder turns, holds safe and awake.)
Ein Korb fährt empor, durch Rauch und durch Glut,
(A cage ascends, through smoke and embers,)
die Drehleiter hilft, mit Mut und mit Wut (gegen das Feuer).
(The turntable ladder helps, with courage and fury (against the fire).)
Retten und löschen, ihr Zweck ist klar,
(Rescuing and extinguishing, its purpose is clear,)
ein Wunder der Technik, Jahr für Jahr.
(A marvel of technology, year after year.)

❓ Who am I? A Riddle

Ich trage einen Korb, doch sammle kein Obst.
(I carry a basket, but gather no fruit.)
Ich steige hoch hinaus, auch wenn du unten tobst.
(I climb high up, even if you rage below.)
Ich drehe mich im Kreis, auf einem großen Wagen.
(I turn in a circle, on a large vehicle.)
Die Feuerwehr braucht mich an vielen Tagen.
(The fire department needs me on many days.)

Wer bin ich? / Who am I?
... Die Drehleiter (The Turntable Ladder)

💡 Interesting Facts about the Drehleiter

Word Composition (Wortzusammensetzung):

The word is composed of:

• drehen: (to turn/rotate) - refers to the ladder set's ability to rotate on its axis.
• Leiter: (ladder) - the basic element used to overcome heights.

Trivia:

• Modern turntable ladders (moderne Drehleitern) can reach rescue heights of over 30 meters (sometimes up to 60 meters).
• They often feature complex control systems (komplexe Steuerungssysteme) that allow safe operation even in windy conditions or on uneven ground.
• Many turntable ladders have a water cannon (Wasserwerfer) attached to the cage for firefighting.