Norrtälje Fire Department acquires the tallest aerial rescue platform in Sweden
29 December, 2025
Norrtälje Räddningstjänst, a fire brigade serving the municipality Norrtälje in Sweden, has recently acquired a Bronto F45XR aerial rescue platform. With an operating height of 45 metres, the F45XR is the tallest aerial rescue platform in all of Sweden and was configured to meet the municipal and industrial firefighting needs of Norrtälje.
A natural replacement with an upgrade
The fire brigade’s existing aerial platform, a 32-metre Bronto from 2004, had served reliably for over 20 years but Norrtälje was looking to upgrade for a more modern unit. The search for a replacement began a few years ago, sparked partly by discussions at the Brand- och Räddning exhibition in Västervik, where the team encountered a new 45-metre Bronto unit on display.
“That unit looked nice and had a much greater reach than our previous one. We aimed for a unit with similar specifications and here we are”
Håkan Gezelius, Operational Commander, Norrtälje Fire Brigade
While the initial plan was to replace the 32-metre unit with a 37-metre model, the fire brigade soon realised that the Bronto F45XR offered capabilities that would be especially valuable in their operational environment.
Meeting the needs of a growing community
Norrtälje, home to approximately 22 000 residents, has seen new developments and taller buildings emerge in recent years. The height and reach of the previous unit no longer covered all areas sufficiently. The up-and-over capability of the F45XR became a decisive factor.
“There are some new buildings and the old unit didn’t reach everywhere. We also have a paper mill in the north of the municipality with large factory roofs so the 45-metre Bronto made sense.”
Håkan Gezelius, Operational Commander, Norrtälje Fire Brigade
The Norrtälje Fire Brigade has relied on Bronto aerials since the late 1980s. Their first Bronto was delivered around 1989 and followed by the 2004 model that is now being replaced.
“We continue relying on Bronto units. They have worked very well for us through the years. They are simple to use and very unusual to have problems.”
Håkan Gezelius, Operational Commander, Norrtälje Fire Brigade
Strong local service
Bronto Skylift’s service presence in Sweden has also been an important part of the equation.
“It’s great. We service the unit once a year and at other times service is just a phone call away. We’re only 40 kilometres from the Vallentuna service center so it works perfectly for us.”
Håkan Gezelius, Operational Commander, Norrtälje Fire Brigade
With the new Bronto F45XR, the Norrtälje Fire Brigade looks forward to continuing a decades-long streak of dependable performance.
“We’re looking forward to keeping the good streak going. Hopefully it will work as well as the existing unit has. It will be exciting to start with a new one.”
Håkan Gezelius, Operational Commander, Norrtälje Fire Brigade
The Bronto F-XR Range
Bronto Skylift XR range of aerial platforms provide versatility, effective outreach and everyday usability to all municipal and industrial firefighting missions. With its 26.5-metre outreach and up-and-over capability of 12.5 metres, the 45-metre Bronto F45XR represents the best performance in our product offering and the 60-metre F60XR is one of the highest aerial platforms in the world with rescue ladders.