Hanseatic City of Herford Awards €1.96 Million Contract for Emergency Ambulance Rescue Services

Germany’s public safety and healthcare services sector has recorded a notable contract award with the Hanseatic City of Herford awarding a multimillion-euro services contract for emergency rescue operations. The contract, valued at €1.96 million, covers the professional manning of an ambulance provided by the city and is aimed at ensuring reliable emergency medical response in accordance with regional rescue legislation.

The award highlights continued public investment in emergency preparedness, ambulance staffing, and civil protection services at the municipal level.

Contract Overview

The contract was officially awarded on 16 January 2026 and published as a Contract Award Notice under reference 98-2025. It relates to the provision of qualified emergency medical personnel to operate an ambulance owned by the Hanseatic City of Herford.

• TOT Reference No: 23799871

• Notice Reference: 38252-2026

• Contract Type: Services

• Estimated / Contract Value: €1,956,051

• Project Location: Germany (Herford, North Rhine-Westphalia)

• NUTS Code: DEA43

Scope of Services

The awarded contract focuses on the implementation of emergency rescue services through the staffing of an ambulance provided by the city. The scope includes:

• Manning a city-owned ambulance with qualified rescue and emergency medical personnel

• Delivery of emergency rescue services in line with Section 2, Paragraph 2 of the North Rhine-Westphalia Rescue Act (RettG NRW)

• Provision of additional personnel during peak demand periods, such as major incidents, disasters, or high-volume emergency situations

• Ensuring continuous operational readiness during defined service hours

The services will be delivered in close coordination with the Fire Department of the Hanseatic City of Herford, which oversees emergency response operations in the municipality.

Contracting Authority

The contracting authority is the Hanseatic City of Herford, located at Auf der Freiheit 21, Herford (Postal Code: 32052). Acting through its fire department and procurement services, the city is responsible for ensuring that emergency medical services meet statutory requirements and local public safety needs.

By outsourcing ambulance staffing while retaining ownership of key assets, the city aims to balance operational efficiency with public oversight and service quality.

Awarded Service Provider

The contract has been awarded to Ambulance Transport Herford Biekra gGmbH, a locally based emergency and medical transport provider headquartered in Herford. The organisation brings established experience in ambulance services and emergency medical staffing, making it well positioned to meet the city’s operational and legal requirements.

The award strengthens the role of regional service providers in Germany’s emergency healthcare ecosystem and supports continuity of local emergency response expertise.

Legal and Operational Framework

Emergency rescue services under this contract will be delivered in compliance with RettG NRW, the governing legislation for rescue services in North Rhine-Westphalia. This framework defines standards for response times, personnel qualifications, and operational coordination, ensuring a consistent level of emergency medical care across the state.

The inclusion of surge staffing provisions is particularly significant, as it enhances Herford’s preparedness for exceptional events such as large-scale accidents, extreme weather, or other emergency scenarios.

Public and Economic Significance

With a contract value approaching €2 million, the award represents a meaningful investment in public health and safety infrastructure. It supports skilled employment in emergency medical services while
and reinforces Herford’s capacity to deliver timely and effective emergency care to residents and visitors.

From a broader perspective, the contract underscores the importance of structured public procurement in maintaining resilient local emergency services, particularly as demand pressures and regulatory standards continue to evolve.

Outlook

The award of this emergency rescue services contract ensures continuity and reliability in ambulance operations for the Hanseatic City of Herford. As municipalities across Germany continue to modernise and optimise their emergency response systems, similar service-based contracts are expected to remain a key component of public sector procurement strategies.

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