Graduation ceremony canceled: Bergfeld firefighter saves in storm!

Graduation ceremony canceled: Bergfeld firefighter saves in storm!

June 30, 2025 was a very special day for Neele Kretschmann. After long years of learning and hard work, the young woman from Bergfelde was able to receive her high school diploma. But less than an hour after the ceremonial handover, she was torn from her thoughts: a violent storm had hit the urban area in Hohen Neuendorf and the fire department called for an operation. As maz-online.de reports, she swapped her elegant graduation dress for the protective one in no time Firefighter gear and headed to the station, determined to do her duty.

In these turbulent times, the commitment of the youth is truly impressive. Neele has been a member of the youth fire department since 2017 and has been actively involved in operations for two years. Between Thursday evening and Friday morning, she was part of a team that worked tirelessly to clean up the aftermath of the storm. In total there were 89 missions that the firefighters had to manage. For Neele, it was more important to help people than to concentrate on her certificate ceremony, which she officially received on Friday at 12 p.m. She has already made plans because on October 1st she will begin training as an emergency paramedic at the Oberhavel Kliniken in Hennigsdorf.

Storm damage and deployment of the fire department

On June 26, 2025, a severe storm hit the city, which not only swept branches and tree parts across streets and sidewalks, but also tore entire trees from the ground. The city administration was faced with the challenge of ensuring safety on the main traffic routes as quickly as possible. As the city of Hohen Neuendorf reports on its website hohen-neuendorf.de, construction and contracted tree care companies have been working since the early hours of the morning to repair the damage. Particular care is taken to ensure that citizens are not threatened with danger from falling branches.

The city has called on citizens to bring fallen branches from street trees safely onto the green verge and not to stay under trees to avoid injuries. Trees that have already fallen will be gradually removed, although in some residential areas this may take a little longer.

Protective measures in the event of a storm

For future storm operations, the fire department recommends familiarizing yourself with the correct protective measures. As explained on the Altdorf fire department website ffw-altdorf.de, it remains essential to stay safe in your own home during a storm and to close windows and doors. During strong thunderstorms, trees should be avoided and cars should not be parked under the branches.

The professionalism and commitment of the firefighters, especially the Hohen Neuendorf volunteer fire department, are even more appreciated in light of these events. Many firefighters worked long nights; including the tree care company Evergreen, which was on duty until 4 a.m. The city would like to thank all rescue workers for their tireless efforts, which are crucial in times of crisis. And while the storm also brings challenges, the efforts of young firefighters like Neele Kretschmann prove once again that community and cohesion shine particularly brightly in crises.