Zittauer fire brigade starts a fundraising campaign for hygiene tent in fire use!

Zittauer fire brigade starts a fundraising campaign for hygiene tent in fire use!

In Zittau, an exciting action by the volunteer fire brigade (FFW) is currently underway, which not only integrates institutions, but also the citizens of the city. The FFW Zittau, Hartau and Eichgraben support associations have teamed up in order to buy a rapid use tent. This tent, which can be set up and heated quickly, should offer the firefighters more privacy and protection during and after missions. The need for this measure is primarily visible through the challenges that firefighters are in action. The special protective clothing, which weighs about 35 kilograms, not only brings physical exertion with it, but also does not protect sufficiently from the extreme conditions that can prevail in fires where temperatures are reached up to 800 degrees Celsius.

Another aspect that is important in this context is the increased risk of falling ill, which is exposed to firefighters. As Sächsische have reported firefighters 30 percent higher risk of falling ill due to fire residues and poisonous smoke. Exposure to carcinogenic smoke is one of the serious dangers during the fire fighting, as described in its new reference recommendation on hygiene in fire. Lars Oschmann, Vice President of the Association, emphasizes that hygiene is crucial for minimizing these risks.

hygiene measures for emergency services

The new specialist recommendation, which offers specific recommendations for action on ten pages, includes numerous measures for hygiene. Not only technical and organizational aspects are treated, but also the need for a second set of personal protective equipment (PSA) to avoid contamination pregnancy can be seen from the document. Firefighters are encouraged to swap contaminated protective clothing promptly at the operations and to pay attention to immediately after the operations.

Another point is that many municipalities, as well as Zittau, only provide the minimal financial framework for the fire brigade by law. Due to this situation, the support associations launched the fundraising campaign on the 99funken platform in order to financially support the purchase of the rapid deployment tent. The tent and the necessary accessories cost a total of 5,400 euros, with a funding threshold of 4,000 euros being set. Donations can also be made by transfer by August 10th, and for those who would like to be a receipt, there is the possibility to request them from the FFW support association.

Together for the safety of the emergency services

The cooperation between the local fire brigades and the citizens is of crucial importance in order to increase the safety level of firefighters. The importance of hygiene and contamination avoidance measures is emphasized not only by firefighters, but also by experts. The hygiene measures inform how to act correctly in the event of a fire and which protective precautions must be taken to protect the emergency services. The fire brigade Rotterdam-Rijnmond has already implemented a functioning hygiene concept that could serve as a model. In Zittau, the managers responsible are required to convey these hygiene standards and to instruct the emergency services accordingly

The fundraising campaign shows how important it is to stand behind the fire brigade and to support the people who often work under extreme conditions. Each contribution counts to provide the necessary equipment and thus ensure the safety and health of these brave women and men.