Moving memorial service for firefighter heroes: Dirk Prieß honored!

Moving memorial service for firefighter heroes: Dirk Prieß honored!

The funeral service for Dirk Prieß, who worked with tireless enthusiasm and heart for his fire department and the community, attracted numerous fire departments and comrades to Ruhner Berge. On November 7, 2025, the emotional ceremony took place in a local church, which then turned into a solemn funeral procession with blue lights and a siren. The final greeting was given with the sound of the local siren, which once again underlined the importance of Prieß' work as a firefighter. Comrades from the entire Ludwigslust-Parchim district as well as representatives of the district military leadership took part in this moving event Northern Courier reported.

In her eulogy, Pastor Alena Saubert not only praised Dirk Prieß's modesty, but also his tireless commitment to his family and the fire department. Platoon leader Maik Kostecki let us know that Prieß, as a technically experienced comrade, was always a reliable contact person and acted as deputy to the platoon leader of the east dangerous goods train. Chief Danilo Urbutat fondly remembered the time when Prieß was his deputy and emphasized his professional competence and humanity.

Life's work of a firefighter

Dirk Prieß was not only the chief fire chief, but also impressed with his professional and voluntary work in the fire department. He was responsible for fire protection in the district administration and held the office of community fire chief in Ruhner Berge. Prieß began his career in the fire department in 1986 and qualified as a machinist in 1988. By taking part in numerous courses, he acquired the necessary specialist knowledge that made him a respected member of the fire department.

For his services, he was awarded the Silver Badge of Honor by the District Fire Brigade Association and the Gold Badge of Honor by the State Fire Brigade Association. Stefan Geyer, deputy chairman of the district fire brigade association, highlighted the importance of Prieß' energy in founding the Ruhner Berge municipal fire brigade. The commitment and dedication that characterized Dirk's work will remain alive in the community.

Fire service infrastructure under the microscope

In addition to the emotional funeral service, it is also important to shed light on the requirements for safety in the fire department. In the event of a fire or disaster, fire engines must be able to reach the source of danger quickly. Therefore, well-planned and maintained fire areas are essential. These must not be blocked or built on to ensure optimal access. The newly revised DIN 14090, which was published in February 2024, contains specific requirements for fire brigade access and movement areas, such as Forum Publisher described in detail.

The requirements for fire department access are varied: a minimum height and width of 3.5 meters must be met. In addition, adjacent components must be designed to be fire-resistant to guarantee safety. Fire brigade access routes should definitely be clearly visible and marked, which is stipulated in the traffic safety regulations. This ensures that the fire department can act quickly in an emergency.

In summary, it can be seen that both the emotional appreciation of a deserving firefighter and the structural requirements for fire protection in the community play a central role. Dirk Prieß will leave a lasting impression in the memories of his comrades and in the safety of the community.