Pilot project in Stendal: Fire brigade training now also during the week!

Pilot project in Stendal: Fire brigade training now also during the week!

There are a large number of fire departments in Germany, but the volunteer fire departments play a particularly important role. With around 48,100 fire departments, most of which are voluntary and have over a million members, they are an essential part of disaster control. What is even more alarming is the fact that many of these defense forces in Saxony-Anhalt lack specially trained members. According to a report by MDR, the necessary requirements for comprehensive training are often lacking, especially for working people who cannot find time for training on the weekend. Therefore, an exciting pilot project was launched in the Stendal district that enables training during the week. This initiative aims to improve the situation by allowing interested firefighters to take part in training during their working hours without feeling like their professional obligations have to suffer.

The pilot project has already proven itself. In Tangermünde, for example, the regular training times for troop training could be compressed from seven to eight weekends to just five days. This intensive approach enabled at least three new firefighters to be trained during the first course. District Administrator Patrick Puhlmann highlights the importance of this project and emphasizes how important well-trained firefighters are for the safety of the population. He supports the measure, which financially supports the participating municipalities, which also takes into account the salaries of the comrades. However, the Ministry of the Interior makes it clear that statutory exemption for deployments should not be overused, which increases the pressure on employers to release employees.

Training and requirements

Basic training in the volunteer fire department, also known as squad training, is mandatory for all firefighter candidates. It consists of two parts, with the first part comprising 70 hours of theory and practice. Here the firefighters learn everything they need to know about fighting fires, technical assistance and legal aspects. There are different teaching variants that also offer the opportunity to learn in the evenings during the week or in intensive courses lasting 10 to 14 days. After completing this basic training, candidates must take part in regular training units in their fire department for over two years in order to achieve the necessary 80 hours for official appointment as a firefighter ab-zur-feuerwehr.de reported.

In recent years, the distribution of tasks in fire departments has changed. While classic firefighting operations still play a central role, the mission has now become more diverse: from human rescue to technical assistance to animal rescue - the demands on volunteer fire departments have increased statista.com documents this development through the large number of operations that the fire departments had to cope with in 2022.

Future visions and challenges

But the volunteer fire departments don't just face challenges in terms of training. The state fire brigade association sees a need for specially trained staff because the numbers are stagnating and the tasks are becoming more diverse. Courses for specialized tasks such as radio operators or machinists are also available, while it is also possible to take advantage of further training courses at state fire brigade schools. The Stendal district fire department is committed to continuing to offer weekend courses in order to meet a wide range of needs.

The fire service is more than a job – it is a calling. The willingness to help in an emergency requires well-trained staff. This is the only way to ensure the safety of the population. The pilot project in Saxony-Anhalt is a good step in the right direction. However, it remains to be seen whether this initiative will be followed and whether the way in which firefighters' time off is handled will improve in the long term.