Have you ever heard of the term 'knolling?' I hadn't, but it is apparently one of the hottest Instagram trends out there right now, and even emergency services are getting involved!
So knolling is a type of flat-lay photography, where different objects are arranged at 90-degree angles from each other, then photographed from above. The look is symmetrical and pleasing to the eye and allows people to see a variety of objects in a single picture; perfect for demonstrating equipment or an inventory, for example. The process has been further popularized through LEGO, where builders carefully arranged their bricks by shape, style and color before getting to work on construction.
Various emergency services around the world, from ambulance to police and rescue teams, are showing all the gear that they carry in their vehicles using this technique, and it is both informative and really cool! Scroll down below to check them out in action for yourself, and let us know what you think in the comments!
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Sengkang Fire Station, Singapore
Bored Panda spoke to Zuger Police, a Swiss police department based in the Canton of Zug, for a little insight on their daily lives fighting crime in this famously neutral and peaceful nation.
"Most of the equipment in our picture can be found in all of our police vehicles," a spokesperson told us. "For example forensic kits, breathalyzer test, photo case, 7 triopans, tourniquet, fire blanket, breathing mask, shoulder pads, helmet, luminous vest, first aid box, measuring tape, marking spray or a tow rope."
"In our 'doggy bus' there is also a dog bowl, a dog handler vest, a dog backpack and a dog cage which is installed in the back of the police vehicle."
Firefighters From Kazerne Rotterdam-Frobenstraat, The Netherlands
Switzerland Police
"The police officers in the picture are both working for the security police. One of the police officers is also a dog handler. He's responsible for the training of the police dog Ike (in the picture). Ike is a guard dog."
"Currently 8 operational dogs are part of our police force. They are specialized as guard dogs, tracking dogs, narcotics-detection dogs or money-detecting dogs."
Star Ambulances
The Police In Neuchâtel, Switzerland
That's not a suspect but a freshly caught criminal.
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Indeed it is. It's an inside joke from the local "prohibition" when it wasn't legal to produce nor consume Absinthe (which is a regional specialty from Val de Travers, Neuchâtel). By the way, this is the equipment from the 80's.
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nobody noticed the distilling equipment? I sure hope it's the criminal's...
caught the criminal brewing unlicensed liquor :P That's a "still" right?
What is the copper looking contraption just above the flag and gun ????
Is that a destilation still on the left? (just to be clear: for making booze)
Maybe that's what the masked 'criminal' was doing and they seized it?
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When was this picture taken? I lives in Neuchâtel from 2011 to 2016 and never saw such an old car model used by the police (it is the gendarmerie actually).
Hello! Il ont relevé le défis en ressortant le matos des années 80 "for fun". Y a eu un article dans le 20 minutes, je crois, à ce propos
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Zuger Police tell us that, on the whole, Zug is a peaceful Canton (a Canton is like the Swiss version of a state), and that crime levels are low. Swiss police do carry weapons however - part of all police equipment includes a pistol.
Scroll down below to see other emergency services and their equipment in action!
Geneva Fire And Rescue Service (Sis), Switzerland
Contents Of A Boxer MRAV Of The Royal Netherlands Army
Dutch Fire Truck
To be exact: From the province of Friesland which is in the North-East of The Netherlands.
Netherland's Emergency Services
Julianadorp Beach Lifeguards, The Netherlands
KNRM Station Hoek Van Holland Lifeboat
Here's What Goes Into A New Zealand Police Car
Dutch Ambulances
Fire Department Entfelden-Muhen
Volunteer Fire Department Himberg
Air Zermatt Swiss Rescue Team
Emergency Services Personnel
Much respect for all, but this one would be a whole world of difficult.
Fejér County Highway Division, Hungary
The Capriasca Fire Corps
Netherland's Emergency Services
Here's What's Inside A Swiss Police Car
Firemen From Zurich
Emergency Services Personnel
The Contents Of A Dutch Police Car
An American police car would have about 200 guns and an anti tank cannon
TCPB Police, Taiwan
French Fire Truck (The Firefighters Of Mazières)
Fejér County Highway Subdivision, Hungary
Italian Firefighters
Note: this post originally had 40 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
What a fantastic project!! I really ownder how the photographer managed to get this organised and woudl love to see a making off video.
Most servicemen and women made the pictures in their free time. Partly to raise awareness via PR actions like this
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I really enjoyed this collection and I hope the idea inspires more photos from other parts of the world.
Knolling at its finest..these are awesome! I wonder if there will be an Australian version? :D
Great post, I give it an UP arrow. Graphically it looks cool & I'm in favor of any post that pays credit to our heroes in Emergency Services. Other than that, not really understanding the point...
You just explained why you like it and then you say you don't understand the point? What's the point of anything on social media?
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Would love for them to do the same but in countries who do not have the infrastructure to support such well provisioned first responders to get a perspective of how reality is for the majority of humans.
Big differece inpolicecar gear. Dutch police seem to carry way more stuff to help people (first aid, tools) other seem like they are only readdy for riots and roadblocks.
These guys "win" the challenge: https://twitter.com/korpsmariniers
"Our body is our weapon"... EF8o_D6W4A...c-jpeg.jpg 
I swear if you to the side there will be a supervisor standing there with a cup of coffee or tea
Very original and interesting (but too many Dutch and Swiss instead of more diversity)
What a fantastic project!! I really ownder how the photographer managed to get this organised and woudl love to see a making off video.
Most servicemen and women made the pictures in their free time. Partly to raise awareness via PR actions like this
Load More Replies... I really enjoyed this collection and I hope the idea inspires more photos from other parts of the world.
Knolling at its finest..these are awesome! I wonder if there will be an Australian version? :D
Great post, I give it an UP arrow. Graphically it looks cool & I'm in favor of any post that pays credit to our heroes in Emergency Services. Other than that, not really understanding the point...
You just explained why you like it and then you say you don't understand the point? What's the point of anything on social media?
Load More Replies... Would love for them to do the same but in countries who do not have the infrastructure to support such well provisioned first responders to get a perspective of how reality is for the majority of humans.
Big differece inpolicecar gear. Dutch police seem to carry way more stuff to help people (first aid, tools) other seem like they are only readdy for riots and roadblocks.
These guys "win" the challenge: https://twitter.com/korpsmariniers
"Our body is our weapon"... EF8o_D6W4A...c-jpeg.jpg
I swear if you to the side there will be a supervisor standing there with a cup of coffee or tea
Very original and interesting (but too many Dutch and Swiss instead of more diversity)
