Forest fire drill in Öfingen: emergency services fight against a lack of hose length

Forest fire drill in Öfingen: emergency services fight against a lack of hose length

On Saturday, September 27, 2025, an intensive forest fire exercise took place in the Öfingen district, which was intended to prepare the emergency services of the Bad Dürrheim fire department for the increasing dangers of vegetation fires. At a time when forest fires are increasing both in Germany and worldwide, it is becoming increasingly important that the fire department prepares for extreme weather conditions and dry phases. As the Bad Dürrheim city side Reportedly, all departmental fire departments across the city came together to take part in this exercise.

A total of nine vehicles and 64 emergency services responded to the reported alarm about a forest fire in Öfingen, which was triggered at 3 p.m. A Johanniter emergency vehicle was also on site to provide first aid. Two injured forest workers had to be rescued and handed over to the Johanniter Black Forest messenger reported.

Implementation challenges

The exercise revealed some logistical challenges. It turned out that there was not enough hose length of 200 meters for a permanent water pipe. Instead, the water had to be pumped every 600 meters, which took additional time, especially in the difficult terrain around the Osterberghalle. The emergency services even dug a path to prevent the fire from spreading to neighboring trees.

The overall commander Volker Heppler emphasized the importance of such exercises. Especially in times of increasing risk of forest fires, it is crucial that the fire brigade is well prepared. The exercise, which was originally initiated at the request of honorary citizen Heinrich Glunz, is also intended to strengthen the interaction between the various units, which would prove indispensable in an emergency.

The importance of training and education

The exercise itself was not only an opportunity for practical application, but also a chance for the fire department to deepen their knowledge. Topics such as the organization and prevention of vegetation fires are becoming increasingly relevant, and the fire department has set itself the goal of being able to react quickly and effectively in the event of an emergency. Additional modules for fighting vegetation fires are now being intensively trained so that the emergency services are optimally prepared for all challenges, be it through personal protective equipment or specialized vehicle material, as on the Vegetation fires website is to be read.

After the exercise, Mayor Jonathan Berggötz was satisfied with the interaction between the emergency services and the willingness of volunteers. This is becoming increasingly important given the growing threat of forest fires. Directed by forester Matthias Berger, the need to be aware of the challenges in terms of material expenditure and personnel intensity was also emphasized, as vegetation fires can often affect not only the fire department, but also the entire community.

Overall, it is clear: The Bad Dürrheim fire department is well positioned to be a strong team, even in difficult times, that has the safety of its citizens in mind and is prepared for seasonal challenges.