Festive anniversary: ​​150 years of the Roßholzen and Steinkirchen fire department!

Festive anniversary: ​​150 years of the Roßholzen and Steinkirchen fire department!

The anticipation for the big event was great, and the Roßholzen Volunteer Fire Department's festival Sunday from June 12th to 16th, 2025 kept what it promised. On Sunday, June 16th, numerous visitors came from near and far to celebrate the fire department's 150th anniversary. In a festive setting, both the field service and the subsequent parade thrilled the audience. It became clear how important the fire department is to the community and what traditions have developed over the years.

According to rosenheim24.de, the festival Sunday was a highlight of the anniversary that the Roßholzen Volunteer Fire Department celebrated together with the Steinkirchen Volunteer Fire Department celebrated. Both fire departments look back on a long history that dates back to the 18th century. In 1978, a joint active defense force was founded, which has been based in Roßholzen ever since.

Tradition and community

The volunteer fire department has a long tradition in Bavaria. Historically, the roots of the founding of the fire department can be traced back to the major fires of the 19th century. The wave of fire brigades being founded in Bavaria was triggered, among other things, by the “Great Fire” in Hamburg in 1842, which made the need for better organized firefighting clear. Many of the first weirs were inspired by military structures - a development that also began in Roßholzen and Steinkirchen.

The role of women in the fire department was particularly noteworthy. During the Second World War, a women's fire fighting group was active in Roßholzen and was on hand to fight fires with a hand pump sprayer. This tradition of inclusion is still upheld today, because the active military now has 45 members, men and women, who work together on a voluntary basis. Youth support is also very important - interested young people were able to find out more about the work of the fire department at the trial day.

A varied program

The festival program offered a colorful mix of entertainment and tradition. The beer tapping took place on Thursday and the Samerberg music band provided the right setting. On Friday the audience was able to enjoy a cabaret program by “Da Bobbe”. Musical highlights were provided on Saturday by the formations Boarisch Bris and Preana Buam, who invited guests to dance with “Oberkrainer meets Tanzlmusi”. The festival ended on Monday with a convivial kettle meat dinner, characterized by the festive atmosphere.

However, the history of the Roßholzen fire department is not only characterized by celebrations, but also by constant change. A new equipment house was built in 1960, and the purchase of the first fire engine in 1961 was a milestone. Over the years, the fleet has continuously developed, with modern equipment being crucial for the safety of citizens. The current inventory includes a personnel transport vehicle, new purchases and also modifications to the tool shed to meet the requirements.

The celebrations are a wonderful example of how tradition and community go hand in hand in the fire department. At a time when challenges are becoming increasingly complex, the fire service remains an indispensable part of society. As [samerbergernachrichten.de](https://www.samerbergernachrichten.de/samerberger-feuerwehren- Feiern/) reports, it would be unwise to underestimate the importance of the fire departments, because they make a significant contribution to safety and community building.

This is not a single window into events, as the history of fire departments is also looked back on in other parts of Bavaria. One thing is clear: the fire brigade is shown great appreciation everywhere, not only for its operations, but also for its social function within the communities. The development from the first firefighting groups to modern fire departments impressively shows how important these institutions are, as br.de makes clear.