Chicago has a very similar unit. Although it is deployed very rarely, it has proven to be very useful at basement fires, including underground garages - especially in older structures with otherwise inadequate built in ventilation for coping with fire situations. Some European cities have built very extensive underground parking garages, and I expect this was a major consideration for Basel buying this rare unit. After all, tackling a multi vehicle fire - especially one involving an electric - three floors down in heavy smoke is no joke!
Added by Rob Johnson on 28 June 2025.