Everyday heroes: fire brigade saves life and secures our streets

Everyday heroes: fire brigade saves life and secures our streets

The heroic volunteers of the fire brigades in the Rhein-Sieg district are more than just rescuers in need! They not only move out to dramatic fires and serious accidents, but also master numerous small but equally important missions that alert them hundreds of times a year. From traces of oil to door openings to support for the emergency services - the firefighters are willing to fulfill their duty at every moment and to protect the lives of others.

When Dennis Schriek, the spokesman for the Sankt Augustin fire brigade, sees the alarming signal "P.Tür" on his detector, he knows that things have to be done quickly. "We open doors 140 times a year, mostly on request from the emergency services or the police," he reports. Often it is concerned neighbors who worry about their older fellow citizens. Sometimes the shock comes: the emergency services find someone in the apartment who died. "We try to open the door without destroying it. If that doesn't work, we use heavy tools, because every minute counts!"

diverse missions and challenges

The fire brigade is not only used for door openings. You are also used regularly for the wearing aid for the emergency services. Simon Wiegand from the Hennef fire brigade describes that they often have to help transport patients through narrow stairwells or to save them from difficult -to -access areas. "We also use the aerial ladder to gently get people out of the upper floor," he emphasizes. These missions are not only physically challenging, but also emotionally stressful, since the firefighters are often confronted with serious injuries or even death.

Another important area of application is the oil traces that must be removed immediately due to their environmental risk. "Oil traces can range from a small oil stain to kilometers of contaminants. We have to act quickly, even at night," explains Marco Brauner from the Windeck fire brigade. Despite the dangers that such operations bring with them, the team remains tireless and fights for the security of their community. But drivers are not always considerate, which the firefighters also endangered. "We appeal to road users to show more understanding," warns Brauner.