Hohentanne Fire Department celebrates 100 years with red barkas and party!

Hohentanne Fire Department celebrates 100 years with red barkas and party!

The Hohentanne fire department has reason to celebrate: the 100th anniversary was celebrated in a big way last weekend. Throughout the entire celebration, not only did the festive mood flourish, but also interest in a very special gem of fire service history: the Barkas B1000, which was the focus of the technology show.

The 58-year-old Barkas, lovingly put back into service by a father-daughter team, is more than just a yellow fire engine. It is a piece of contemporary history that brings back many memories. The Barkas B1000, built in 1965 and put into service in 1978, was used in various fire departments until it was decommissioned on July 1, 1994 and is very popular due to its robustness and user-friendliness.

A symbol of the fire department's past

The Barkas B1000 is considered the standard vehicle for the volunteer fire brigades in the former GDR and was widely used in many smaller towns due to its versatile equipment. With a 3-cylinder two-stroke engine that produces 45 hp, this small van was important in both everyday use and larger operations. Technically equipped to transport a fire-fighting group of up to five people, the B1000 not only offers space, but also extensive fire-fighting equipment.

The Barkas had, among other things, three compressed air breathing apparatuses and a portable hose reel. The rear wall of the driver's cab is cleverly designed with a folding bench seat for additional passengers, highlighting the flexibility of this vehicle. The loving restoration of the vehicle was a true passion project that required many hours of manual work and great attention to detail. The Barkas was rebuilt by fellow firefighters and numerous supporters over the years and now shines in new splendor.

A special experience for young and old

The Hohentanne Fire Department's celebrations included not only the technical show, but also a children's festival and musical performances that attracted visitors of all ages. The Barkas turned out to be a real “eye-catcher”. It's not just the historical flair that inspires people, but also the nostalgic feeling that this vehicle conveys.

The history of the Barkas, whose name goes back to the Carthaginian general Hamilkar Barkas, is a success story of engineering and craftsmanship that continues to inspire many people in the fire department to this day. The Barkas was lovingly cared for and preserved by the Magdeburg Diesdorf Volunteer Fire Department, which shows how important the heritage of these vehicles is for the fire service community.

The 100th anniversary of the Hohentanne Fire Department was a successful mix of celebration, looking back and appreciation for the history and the vehicles that are on the roads day after day to ensure our safety. And the Barkas B1000 will certainly be a reminder of this tradition for many years to come.

For more information about the Barkas B1000 and its history, we recommend the articles from Free press, Diesdorf fire department and Mönchhagen fire department.