Fire department history comes alive: Peter Greßl restores old helmets!

Fire department history comes alive: Peter Greßl restores old helmets!

An exciting course on the restoration of small fire brigade equipment was held at the Lower Austrian Fire Brigade and Safety Center in Rosenau on February 27, 2025. The district clerk for fire department history, Peter Greßl, himself an active member of the Rosenau Volunteer Fire Department, taught the participants in a practical way how old fire brigade equipment, especially leather helmets, can be professionally restored. The focus was on properly treating the fittings, sewing and preserving the helmets. Julian Blaschek, the section clerk from Amstetten-Stadt, also took part in this instructive day. During the breaks, lively information was exchanged between the speakers and the course participants. A special highlight was the tour of the old fire engines, which immersed the participants in the history of the fire department fireworld.at reported.

Peter Greßl's passion for fire service history

Peter Greßl, known for his passion for fire service history, was portrayed by ORF on September 9, 2025. This comprehensive account highlighted his skills as a restorer of fire equipment dating back to the 19th century. As part of the ORF documentary, Greßl cycled to the Sonntagberg Basilica, where he presented television viewers with his research results about the devastating Sonntagberg fire of 1913. This catastrophe severely endangered the landmark of the Mostviertel. Greßl has also set himself the goal of introducing his son Michael to firefighting and thus keeping the tradition alive. In its reporting, ORF will also show the numerous awards Greßl has received for his valuable work, as well as many memorabilia that have shaped his life as a firefighter. The broadcast broke an exciting connection between past and present, like bfk-amstetten.at noted.