Small vans like these are used by most French fire services for many general service alarms.
One or two members load it up with whatever equipment the alarm suggests may be needed (lock out, insects, spills, etc.) and head on out. This saves turning out fully equipped units and full crews, which can be kept ready for more serious incidents.
They are of course used as well for general fetching and carrying, such as getting the breakfast croissants!
Added by Lambert Arnaud. on 05 August 2012.