Fire brigade history alive: Peter Greßl restores old helmets!

Fire brigade history alive: Peter Greßl restores old helmets!

In the Lower Austrian fire and security center in Rosenau, an exciting course for the restoration of fire brigade clinic devices was carried out on February 27, 2025. The district clerk for fire brigade history, Peter Greßl, himself an active member of the Rosenau volunteer fire brigade, gave the participants practical how old fire service utensils, in particular leather helmets, are professionally restored. The focus was on treating the fittings, sewing and preserving the helmets. Julian Blaschek, the section clerk of Amstetten-Stadt, also took part in this educational day. During the breaks, lively information was exchanged between the lecturers and the course participants. A special highlight was the tour of the old fire engines, which the participants immersed in the history of the fire brigade, such as fireworld.at.

Peter Greßl, known for his passion for fire brigade history, was portrayed by ORF on September 9, 2025. In this comprehensive representation, his skills as a restorer of fire service utensils, which go back to the 19th century, were highlighted. As part of the ORF documentary, Greßl cycled to the Sonntagberg Basilica, where he presented his research results to the television viewers about the devastating Sunday mountain fire from 1913. This catastrophe had strongly endangered the symbol of the Mostviertel. Greßl has also set himself the goal of bringing his son Michael closer to the fire brigade and thus keeping tradition alive. In its reporting, the ORF will also show the numerous awards that Greßl received for his valuable work, as well as many memorabilia that have shaped his life as a fireman. The broadcast broke an exciting connection between the past and the present, such as bfk-amstetten.at note.