100 years of the Berge firefighting group: anniversary celebration on November 8th!

100 years of the Berge firefighting group: anniversary celebration on November 8th!

A big celebration is coming up in the tranquil community of Berge: On November 8, 2025, the Berge fire fighting group will celebrate its 100th anniversary with an anniversary celebration in the Schützenhalle. The event is a highlight in the village calendar and all citizens are warmly invited to take part. The program is promising and, in addition to music and dance, also offers exciting greetings and a speech by the new district administrator Thomas Grosche.

The fire fighting group, which currently has 33 active comrades and one female comrade, has been able to overcome various missions and challenges over the years, always supported by its loyal honorary departments. The unit is headed by fire department leader Fire Inspector Steffen Berels, Chief Fire Chief Daniel Schulte and Chief Fire Chief Thomas Schwefer. At the anniversary celebration, the Meschede fire brigade's band will open the celebrations musically at 6 p.m. From 8.30 p.m. the dance and party band “Top-Secret” will ensure an exuberant atmosphere.

Fire station in transition

But the 100th anniversary is not the only reason for joy in Berge. The city of Meschede is planning to build a new fire station for the Berge and Visbeck firefighting groups, which will be built on Visbecker Straße at the entrance to Bergerhütte. The urban development committee has already unanimously recommended changing the land use plan and drawing up a development plan. The existing fire station on Herstweg must meet the increasing demands of the fire department, which is why this new building is necessary. Klaus Wahle, head of the planning and building regulations department, describes the future location as an excellent choice.

The city administration has examined various locations and held discussions with property owners. Of the six areas examined, only this one was ready for sale. The planned new building is described in the land use plan as a “common use area with the purpose of fire brigade”, with parking spaces also being provided for emergency services and visitors. The city council will decide on the plans on December 10th, with the aim of completing the planning process by the end of 2025.

A long tradition

The Berge firefighting group has a proud history that is recorded in the chronicle. Since its founding in 1925, it has been responsible for fire protection and technical assistance in the district. There have been numerous deployments over the years, ranging from residential fires to forest fires and flood relief. The deployments during flood events, such as the most recent one in July 2021, are particularly striking.

The anticipation of the anniversary is great. The fire department in Berge is not only an important part of disaster control, but also a place that connects the village community. The Nov. 8 celebration will reflect some of that gratitude and recognition for the work of firefighters who have been keeping citizens safe for a century.

There is a lot to celebrate and at the same time be prepared for new challenges. The cooperation with the neighboring firefighting groups in Grevenstein and Visbeck stands for cohesion in the region and the will to always work on the future of volunteer work.