Katzenbach's fire department celebrates new extension and modern fire engine!

Katzenbach's fire department celebrates new extension and modern fire engine!

The Katzenbach Volunteer Fire Department was pleased with a great celebration to mark the completion of its extension and the handover of a new special vehicle. The results of over 1,200 hours of work by fire department members were honored in an atmospheric open day. Reason enough for Mayor Michael Cullmann to underline the importance of the fire brigade's commitment to civil protection and to praise the extensive investments by the municipal council that have made this progress possible.  The Rheinpfalz reports.

At the celebration, VG fire chief Timo Blümmert recalled the storm disaster of 2014, which led to a rethinking of fire service work and the urgently needed renovation of the fire station. The extension now enables operations to be carried out more safely and effectively, as modern demands on safety and work processes can be better taken into account.  The planning of such buildings is very important to minimize risks, such as the parking space being too small or inadequate traffic routes, which can often lead to the risk of injury in many fire stations.

Investments and challenges

Particularly noteworthy is the commitment of the support association, which invested 10,000 euros in new technical equipment, including a power generator, which further increases operational readiness. This investment shows that voluntary structures in the community are also important and need support. The first plans for the expansion date back to 2020, but the start of construction was delayed due to the corona pandemic.

A special highlight of the celebration was the commissioning of an off-road vehicle that is used not only for vegetation and forest fires, but also for transporting injured people. The municipality fully covered the acquisition costs of 30,000 euros. This shows the collaborative work between the fire department and the administration - a good example of successful teamwork.

Recognitions and awards

During the celebration, local mayor Volker Köhler presented a bundled gift of fire hoses on behalf of the local council. District councilor Güngör Aydin was also present and honored fire chief Martin Rottmann with the gold fire brigade medal for his many years of extraordinary commitment. Other active members were also recognized for their tireless efforts.

Overall, it is clear that the renovation of the fire station is not just a structural measure, but a decisive step into the future of the Katzenbach fire department. The new standards and safety requirements as set out in the  DGUV regulation 49 and the current standard DIN 14092 are taken into account in the new extension. In this way, not only the occupational safety but also the health protection of the volunteer firefighters is sustainably improved, which meets an ever-increasing need - after all, the fire brigade must continue to be ready for action in the future, regardless of the weather conditions.