Firefighter hero Thomas Hinz: Farewell to an era in Fulda and Kiel!

Firefighter hero Thomas Hinz: Farewell to an era in Fulda and Kiel!

A round end and a new beginning for Thomas Hinz: The 63-year-old fire chief retired at the end of October 2025. He has had a significant influence on both the fire brigade in Fulda and Kiel for many years. In his impressive career, Hinz spent a total of twelve years at the head of the Office for Fire Protection, Rescue Services, Disaster and Civil Protection in Kiel, after previously having held responsibility in Fulda for thirteen years. His return to his roots in Westphalia, where he was born and worked as an electrician, marks the end of an era.

In an emotional social media post, Hinz said goodbye to his colleagues and praised the Kiel fire department for its innovative strength and performance. He particularly emphasized the reliability of the emergency services during emergency calls, a virtue that was always emphasized under his leadership.

A pioneer of fire protection

During his tenure in Fulda, Hinz laid the foundation for a sustainable fire department. Particularly noteworthy is his commitment to RETTmobil International, which became a great success under his leadership. These international meetings not only promote the exchange of knowledge, but also cooperation between fire departments across national borders.

However, the challenges surrounding fire protection are not just of a personnel nature. In order to be able to react quickly and efficiently in an emergency, the infrastructural requirements must also be right. This is where the amended DIN 14090 comes into play. This standard regulates the planning and implementation of fire brigade areas that must be kept clear so that emergency vehicles can reach the source of danger without obstacles.

DIN 14090: Requirements for fire brigade areas

The new DIN 14090, which was published in February 2024, brings with it some monthly changes. It defines clear requirements for entrances, driveways and installation areas. For example, fire department access roads must have a minimum height and width of 3.5 meters, and adjacent components must be fire-resistant (F 90). The radius of curves is also crucial, with at least 10.5 meters required.

The standard also stipulates that installation areas for fire engines must be at least 84 square meters in size to provide sufficient space for the necessary equipment. The load capacity of these areas must be at least 800 kN/m² in order to meet the requirements of fire engines up to 10 tons. Practical materials include slab coverings, grass pavers or asphalt pavements to ensure that the areas remain usable even in adverse weather conditions.

The importance of well-planned infrastructure

The obligation to ensure traffic safety and the clear signage of fire brigade access routes are other essential points that are regulated by the standard. These “fire department access” signs must be clearly visible and sized according to the specifications. This is important not only for the fire department, but also for all citizens who have to rely on the fire department's quick response time in an emergency.

With the retirement of Thomas Hinz, a remarkable period in the history of the fire department in Kiel and Fulda comes to an end. His successor Markus Brandau will certainly tackle the challenges that the office brings with it with just as much enthusiasm and foresight. The principles that Hinz has established will serve as the foundation for the fire service in the region - both in human and infrastructural terms.