Integration by fire brigade: Ukrainians can find their homeland in brand

Integration by fire brigade: Ukrainians can find their homeland in brand

Integration through fire brigade training: A story from Anhalt-Bitterfeld

In the small community brand in the Anhalt-Bitterfeld district, a remarkable story takes place that illuminates the topic of integration in a special way. Here it is not only the local children who are enthusiastic about the fire brigade, but also refugees from Ukraine. Among them the siblings Mira, Dascha and Kira, who have fled their family from the war and have been actively participating in the youth fire brigade since their arrival in Germany.

The role of the fire brigade in the community

The volunteer fire brigade in brand just about 200 inhabitants, and yet the children's fire brigade has developed into an important point of contact for the community. The influence of this facility is not only shown in the number of members, but also in the way it specifically responds to the needs of the new generation. "The fire brigade helps and saves people when it burns," explains Mira, while proud to take part in an exercise. The social cohesion is strengthened here by learning and working, which is of great importance for everyone involved, especially for the refugees.

integration out of necessity

The integration of the two Ukrainian sisters into the community began, as a youth manager Stephanie Münter decided to take them to the fire brigade because they were initially without school. It quickly turned out that this step was exactly the right one: "The girls have long been integrated and are now visiting a high school," says Münter. With their enthusiasm and their existing knowledge from Ukraine, they enrich the group. "The Ukrainians are partly further than our children, they bring a lot of interesting facts," explains Münter enthusiastically.

an increasing popularity of the youth fire brigades

The numbers speak for themselves: In Saxony-Anhalt, children's and youth fire brigades report a membership of almost 18,000, which corresponds to an increase of around five percent last year. According to city youth manager Christian Sänger, the fire brigades benefit from the positive trend to join young people from different countries of origin. "We are doing a lot of advertising in schools, and when we convey exciting things to the children, they continue to tell," says Sänger. This strategy could be the key to the future of voluntary fire departments in Germany.

joy and team spirit at the fire brigade

Every training session ends for the children with a reward - an ice cream and a welcome cooling on a hot day. They grin cheerfully as they are going through the water jet of a fire hose. Such experiences not only create joy, but also a feeling of belonging and teamwork, which is essential for the young firefighters. After all, the fire brigade's motto is not only to extinguish fires, but also to create connections between people - an approach that applies to both the local and refugee children.

The history of the siblings Mira, Dasha and Kira is only an example of many, as the service in the fire brigade not only represents a meaningful employment, but also acts as a bridge between cultures. At a time when community and understanding play a crucial role, this development is of great importance for both the municipality in the brand and the new residents.