The state of Lower Austria is investing over 640,000 euros in fire brigade protective measures!

The state of Lower Austria is investing over 640,000 euros in fire brigade protective measures!

On July 23, 2025, the state of Lower Austria once again showed its support for volunteer fire departments. In a pleasing step, the fire departments in the Neunkirchen district were funded with a total of an impressive 642,309 euros. Loud NOEN In this context, Deputy Governor Stephan Pernkopf emphasized the essential role of well-trained and equipped fire departments in protecting our population. Also present at the announcement of these funding were National Councilor Thomas Elian, Mayor Evelyn Artner, fire brigade commander Thomas Streng and state parliament member Hermann Hauer.

As Pernkopf explained, the state invests around 14 million euros annually in strengthening the fire departments. This not only increases the safety of citizens, but also strengthens the operational capability of the well over 100,000 volunteer fire brigade members in Lower Austria. They receive support to finance new emergency vehicles and equipment that are essential for their challenging operations.

Investments in modern vehicles

A specific measure that also supports long-term planning is the provision of 1.4 million euros for new fire engines. This exact amount was announced in December 2024, and Fireworld emphasizes that a total of 26 fire departments will benefit from this measure. Both 18 emergency vehicles and 8 personnel transport vehicles will be purchased. The state fire brigade commander Dietmar Fahrafellner emphasized the close cooperation between communities, the state and the over 1,600 volunteer fire brigades.

With more than 75,000 missions last year, it is clear what enormous pressure is on the fire departments. Especially when it comes to fires, natural disasters or technical operations, it is important that firefighters can act quickly and effectively. This is where the new vehicles come into play, as they ensure that they can be deployed much more quickly in critical situations.

Nationwide support for fire departments

The fire departments can also hope for large-scale support from federal politics. The Austrian Ministry of Finance is planning a special investment bonus of 15 million euros to promote fire department modernization. This measure shows that the challenges that fire departments face every day - from heavy rain to forest fires - are taken seriously at the highest levels. Loud Today The legal regulation for this bonus is currently being assessed. The new funds are intended to help fire departments purchase modern vehicles to meet the increased requirements.

As the use of investments in the past shows, Lower Austria, together with the municipalities and fire departments, invests around 24 million euros annually in operational capability. More than 100 fire engines have to be replaced and purchased every year in order to comply with legal requirements. Both, state fire brigade commander Dietmar Fahrafellner and the president of the Federal Fire Brigade Association Albert Kern, see these developments as an important step for Austria's fire brigade history.

Overall, it can be said that the investments and the planned bonuses strengthen both the safety of the population and the backbone of the fire service structure in our country. It remains exciting to see how these initiatives will play out in practical implementation.