Farewell to a fire brigade hero: Erich Roth says goodbye after 41 years

Farewell to a fire brigade hero: Erich Roth says goodbye after 41 years

In Wolfratshausen, a long -time fireman, Erich Roth, has ended his active service after over 40 years. On August 23, 2024, he was adopted in a moving way by his comrades into the well -deserved retirement. The celebrations began as a fire truck to pick up Roth and his wife Brigitte and receive them on a red carpet.

Roth, who reached the age limit for active firefighters on the 65th birthday, was described by many as a “thoroughbred firefighter”. This name reflects his passionate dedication to this volunteering. District fire councilor Erich Zengerle recognized his contributions and emphasized the immeasurable gap that Roth is left behind. Commandant Andreas Bauer also said similarly and could not believe how much the fire brigade has to do without him.

a long way to the fire brigade

The trip from Erich Roth to the fire brigade began over four decades ago when he was looking for a new home with his partner Brigitte. The decision was made on Wolfratshausen, which depends not least on a motorcycle tour that she did. When he saw the city for the first time and the fire brigade discovered with a deployed turntable ladder, he immediately knew that he wanted to land there.

About the meeting with the then commander Hans Sewald during an open day Roth found his way to the fire brigade community. In 1983 he joined and began a remarkable career that soon brought him to management positions. Roth quickly took responsibility and was elected vice commander in 2000, an office that he filled out for over 12 years.

a life for the fire brigade

The adoption of Roth was recognized by his comrades with a standing ovation when he announced in 2012 that he was no longer available for a management position. Despite his retreat, he remained active and supported the fire brigade, wherever he could. His commitment even extended to the flight helpers, which he joined in 1992 and in whose ranks he played again.

The age limit of 65 for firefighters was introduced in 2016 by the Bavarian Council of Ministers. Roth, who understands the necessity, also sees the challenges that this regulation brings. "Especially at this age one wonders whether you are really 100 percent fit," he says, adding that an increase in the age limit to 67 years could be a wrong solution for the youth problem in the fire brigade.

Although Roth is now retiring, he plans to stay active and continue to pursue his passion for gliding and the mountains. "I am a fully professional pensioner," he jokes and shows that he will not be dissuaded from his joie de vivre.

for Erich Roth, who will mourn each individual of his comrades even after decades in the fire service, it is now time to take new ways and to face new challenges after a fulfilled working life. His bond with the fire brigade colleagues remains strong, and the memories of the exciting and sometimes tragic inserts will always be part of his history.

a final look at the fire brigade life

The farewell of Erich Roth not only marks the end of an era for the Wolfratshaus fire brigade, but also shows the emotions and pride that the firefighters feel for their service. It is an exemplary story that shows how devotedly and strongly the camaraderie is within the fire brigade, and what role such people and Roth play in the community.

The fire brigade in Germany plays a central role in fire fighting, emergency rescue and in disaster protection. Volunteers like Erich Roth are of crucial importance. In Germany, over 90 percent of firefighters are volunteers, which strengthens the community spirit and the proximity to the citizens of these institutions. The fire brigade is therefore not only responsible for the security of the citizens, but also an integral part of social life and social interaction. Feuerwehr.de provides detailed information about the structures and organization of the fire brigade in Germany.

Fire brigade and age limits in Germany

The age limit for active firefighters varies depending on the federal state and was raised to 65 years in Bavaria, as in the case of Erich Roth. This was decided in 2016 to ensure that firefighters are physically fit enough to meet their tasks in an emergency. This is a controversial topic because many believe that experience and knowledge are more important than age. The Bavarian Ministry of the Interior has documented some of the discussions on this topic.

In addition, there are ongoing debates on whether this age limit should perhaps be increased to 67 years to tackle the problem of personnel lack of personnel in the fire brigade. However, these considerations raise questions regarding the operational capacity and security, since not only physical but also psychological fitness is required.

current challenges of the fire brigade

The German fire brigades face various challenges, including personnel bottlenecks and increasingly extensive operational requirements. According to a survey by the German Fire Brigade Association, 80 percent of fire departments have difficulty finding enough offspring. This is reinforced by the increasing diversification of society and other leisure activities that distract people from voluntary work. The German Fire Brigade Association provides comprehensive information about the current challenges and possible solutions.

Another problem is the necessary further training of the firefighters. The requirements for training and technology are constantly developing what additional training and further training requires. The fire brigades must ensure that their members are regularly trained in order to meet the high standards. This not only requires time, but also financial means.