New district fire chief appointed in Schmalkalden-Meiningen!

New district fire chief appointed in Schmalkalden-Meiningen!

There is news from the fire service world in the Schmalkalden-Meiningen district: Herbert Reizlein, who lives in the Jüchsen district, has been appointed the new district fire chief for area 3. This appointment is effective retroactively to June 1, 2025. The ceremonial handover of the certificate of appointment was carried out by district administrator Peggy Greiser, who was accompanied on this important occasion by alderman Susanne Reich and district fire inspector Philipp Prenzel.

What does this appointment mean for fire protection in the region? The tasks of the new district fire chief include not only managing the fire department, but also working closely with communities to improve local fire protection. Section 6 of the Thuringian Fire Protection Act plays a central role here, regulating the advice and support of communities in the planning and implementation of fire protection measures, as lra-sm.de explains in detail.

Tasks and challenges

The challenges that await Herbert Reizlein are large and diverse. His tasks include planning base fire brigades, supporting the creation of alarm and operational plans as well as conducting further training and exercises for the firefighters in the district. The following base fire departments are particularly important:

• Meiningen
• Schmalkalden
• Zella-Mehlis
• Kaltennordheim

In addition, there are also fire departments in the district with supra-local tasks, such as the fire departments from Breitungen, Wernshausen and Wasungen. These are equipped for special operational scenarios that require special technology and training in order to be able to act quickly and efficiently in an emergency.

The role of the Thuringian Ministry

The Thuringian Ministry of the Interior, Municipal Affairs and State Development also plays a crucial role in the area of ​​fire protection and general assistance. In addition to the framework legislation and the support of communities, it is also responsible for optimizing fire protection overall. The focus is, among other things, on promoting volunteer work and the training and further education of firefighters, as innen.thueringen.de explains.

With the appointment of Herbert Reizlein, an experienced man is placed at the head of the fire department in the Schmalkalden-Meiningen district. In the coming years it is important to set the course for a secure future in the fire service and to further intensify cooperation with the communities. We are excited to see what impulses the new district fire chief will provide.