Red-hot Insights

After finishing school, I did an apprenticeship in automotive mechatronics, and had already been active in the voluntary fire service for ten years. It was during this time that I decided I wanted to make firefighting my career. After passing the recruitment test, I joined the fire department in 2010.

In my role as Löschmeister, I have already gained experience in various fields of the fire service, set an example for younger colleagues, and can be deployed as a squad leader during operations. I can also deputize for the workshop manager. On an typical workday, I start by checking the vehicles, then have breakfast and move on to the workshop. There, my team and I ensure that the equipment and vehicles are ready for use. We usually then have some training before our on-call duty begins. Because we work in 24-hour shifts, we are on call until the next morning, and then have the next 24 hours off.

As a Brandmeister you are in a leadership role. Usually, this person takes charge of the associated workshop and leads the squad during operations, meaning they are responsible for the colleagues and the equipment used. Of course, this also means that a Brandmeister serves as a role model when it comes to occupational safety, adherence to regulations and social conduct within the team – after all, firefighting is impossible without teamwork.

My role has two key parts. Preventative fire protection, on the one hand, includes tasks like evacuation drills, training on what to do when the alarm sounds, and hazard prevention inspections, i.e., assessing buildings in terms of fire safety. On the other hand, when a fire does occur, of course it is my responsibility. As Brandmeister, I am responsible for my colleagues during operations: I need to assess the situation, identify hazards and make decisions on how to proceed and what technical equipment to use.

We work in 24-hour shifts from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., followed by a day off. Of that shift, eight hours are working hours, during which we clean and maintain equipment, undergo training, or conduct safety shutdowns. The rest of the time we are on call. We usually spend it doing sport, reading, watching television and cooking – unless the alarm goes off. Then of course we drop everything and go.