From the desk to the lifesaver: Michaela Zehder's path to the fire brigade

From the desk to the lifesaver: Michaela Zehder's path to the fire brigade

A profession that is both physically and mentally challenging: the fire brigade. Although women are represented in many areas of life today, the fire brigade, especially the professional fire brigade, often remains a male domain. This is also the case in Reutlingen, where Michaela Zehnder, the only female professional fire brigade is among 85 active forces. Just 24 years old, she is about to complete her training and will soon start service.

Michaela grew up in Schramberg and joined the volunteer fire brigade, inspired by her father and grandfather, who were both firefighters. Her early enthusiasm for this profession led her to learn the profession of electronics technician, which turned out to be advantageous when she applied for a job at the professional fire brigade. With a solid technical training in the pocket, it is optimally prepared for the challenges of the fire brigade profession.

The requirements for police forces are high

Before you can get to the professional fire brigade, considerable hurdles must be overcome. The application process includes a demanding sports test, which not only includes basic fitness tests such as running and swimming, but also specific fire brigade disciplines such as a height of heights on the aerial ladder and rescue. But Michaela successfully mastered these challenges. "Sure, you have to train for that," she says in order to confidently present the requirements and her sporting successes.

The fire brigade's operations are often unpredictable and the firefighters present constant new challenges. "You never know how a working day develops, that's totally exciting," says Michaela. The fascination for the variety of missions and the feeling of working in a team make the job particularly attractive for you. It emphasizes how important it is to act as a unit, because every hand counts in use, regardless of gender. "Nobody asks you in action whether you are a man or a woman," she emphasizes.

An increase in women's quota

Despite the initial imbalance in the professional fire brigade, the future looks rosy. Michaela could soon no longer be the only woman in the Reutlinger fire brigade. Other women show interest in the fire brigade career, and the number of firefighters in the volunteer fire brigade also increases. As commander Stefan Hermann confirms, the number of young female young people is rising. "The trend is rising" is his assessment. This positive development could bring a nasty breath of fresh air to the fire brigade.

The fire brigade in Reutlingen has around 2000 missions every year, which means that something is always to be done, even if there is no emergency. The firefighters have to train and continue their training, wait for vehicles and take part in regular exercises. These all-round services are an essential part of the fire brigade life, which often goes beyond the acute operations.

When the interview with Michaela comes to an end, an alarm sounds. She jumps up, waves goodbye and hurries towards her locker. With a remarkable speed, she joins her colleagues on the emergency vehicle. They are on the scene within a few minutes. Fortunately, it was only a base of food, which underlines the efficiency and speed of the fire brigade.

A new way for women in the fire brigade

Michaela Zehnder is not only a firefighter, but also a symbol of change in a traditionally male-dominated professional field. Their presence in the Reutlingen fire brigade marks a small but significant step towards equality and shows that women in all professions, even in some of the most challenging, can be successful. For many young women, their story could be inspiration to go the same way and follow their dreams, regardless of the area. It takes courage to take the first step, but Michaela shows that it is worth it.

challenges and opportunities for women in the fire brigade

The integration of women into male domains such as the fire brigade is often shaped by challenges, but also offers opportunities. Many women report positive cohesion and support within the team, which helps them establish themselves in the professional environment. The topic of equality and diversity is becoming increasingly important, and many fire brigades initiate programs that specifically aim to encourage women, to apply and to make a career in the fire brigade.

A study by the Federal Ministry for Family, Seniors, Women and Youth shows that the number of women in technical professions, including the fire brigade, is growing steadily. With a targeted speech and advertising for the fire brigade as a career path, these numbers could continue to increase. Programs that enable mentorship and networking are considered particularly effective. An example of this is the mentoring program "Women in the fire brigade and emergency services", which specifically appeals to women and provides them with older and experienced colleagues.

status quo of the fire brigade in Germany

The fire brigade in Germany is diverse and has changed significantly in recent years. In view of the demographic challenges, many fire departments are looking for new recruits, which increases the need for qualified staff. According to the German Fire Brigade Association, around 1.3 million members of the fire brigade are active in Germany, with the proportion of women being around 10 percent. This number varies significantly between the federal states and within the various fire departments.

The federal states have different approaches to promote women in the fire brigade. Some have started targeted recruitment campaigns, in others special training courses are offered to better prepare women for the challenges of the profession. The social perception of the fire brigade has changed and many people support the idea of a more various team, which is also reflected in the increasing number of applicants.

training and specialization

The training as a firefighter or firefighter includes practical and theoretical components. In addition to the sports test, future firefighters also have to complete comprehensive training in fire engineering, fire protection and emergency services. This includes learning about fire fighting, technical assistance and first aid. In order to meet the requirements of the modern fire brigade, constant training is required.

The role of the volunteer fire brigade

The volunteer fire brigade plays an important role in the German fire protection system. It not only makes an important contribution to danger defense, but is also an important place of training for young interested parties, such as Michaela Zehnder, who found their vocational training through the volunteer fire brigade. In many communities, the volunteer fire brigade is often the first point of contact in emergencies, which underlines their importance in society.

Here, too, a growing trend is evident: the number of female members in the volunteer fire brigades is increasing, and women are increasingly chosen in management positions. This leads to a stronger representation and can be seen as a sign of a cultural change within the organizations. Initiatives to promote female members are crucial to further promote equality in this area.