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175 years of the Sonneberg fire department: Big celebration expected on June 21st!
The Sonneberg Volunteer Fire Department will celebrate its 175th anniversary on June 21, 2025 with festivities and a technology show.
175 years of the Sonneberg fire department: Big celebration expected on June 21st!
On June 19, 2025, the signs in Sonneberg are all about celebrations, because the Sonneberg-Mitte volunteer fire department has every reason to be happy: it will be a proud 175 years old. This is not only a reason to celebrate for the fire department itself, but also for the entire city. The fire department is one of the oldest and leading rescue organizations in the city, with a long and remarkable history.
Organized fire protection has existed in Sonneberg since the late Middle Ages. At that time, every citizen was obliged to help with fires and contribute to the safety of the population. Ladders and fire hooks were said to have been used in the 16th century, followed by the first fire engine in the 18th century, which enabled fire departments to fight fires more effectively. Today, in the age of modern technology, the picture looks completely different.
Festivities for the big anniversary
The anniversary celebration on June 21, 2025 will feature a varied program. The official celebration will take place on the festival lawn next to the town hall from 10:00 a.m. Here visitors can look forward to honorary guests from politics, fire service associations and city life. The program is diverse and will not only honor the past, but also shine a spotlight on modern firefighting technology.
- 10:00 – 12:00 Uhr: Offizieller Festkommers
- 13:00 – 18:00 Uhr: Technikschau entlang des Bahnhofplatzes mit moderner Feuerwehrtechnik und Fahrzeugen
- 14:00 – 16:00 Uhr: Schauübungen der Freiwilligen Feuerwehr mit realitätsnahen Demonstrationen
- 19:00 Uhr: Musikalischer Abend mit der Band „Why Not“
The fairground and areas surrounding the station will act as event venues and everyone is invited to celebrate the fire service's heritage and role in safety in the region. This will not only be a tribute to the history of the fire service, but also a symbol of the importance that this institution has in our daily lives.
The roots of the fire brigade
The fire service has undergone many development steps over the centuries. The first approaches to organized fire fighting were already documented in China and ancient Rome. There, the “Vigiles” under Emperor Augustus formed a structured force of 3,500 men to fight fires. In the European Middle Ages, however, technical equipment was limited and citizens were obliged by law to fight fires.
The founding of Germany's first voluntary fire brigade in Alzey in 1799 laid the foundation for today's large number of voluntary fire brigades, which now number around 24,000 in Germany. These not only make a valuable contribution to fire protection, but are also active in rescue services and disaster control.
The upcoming anniversary of the Sonneberg-Mitte volunteer fire department on June 21st will not only be a celebration for the fire department, but also a celebration of the community spirit and commitment that has stood for the safety of the population for over a century and a half. Visit this unique event and become part of an important story!
For further information and details on the history of the fire department, those interested can take a look at the comprehensive articles from Insuedthueringen, Sonneberg and Feuerfakten: South Thuringia, Sonneberg, Fire facts.