51 fire brigade candidates celebrate successful completion in the Urfahr-Environment district

51 fire brigade candidates celebrate successful completion in the Urfahr-Environment district

On October 6, 2025, the completion of the troop man and troop woman training was celebrated in the Urfahr-Raum district. A total of 51 aspiring firefighters took part in this basic training program, which took place on Saturdays September 27th and October 4th. The course was led by Chief Fire Inspector D.F. Bernhard Binder led the project and received the support of eight experienced trainers from the district fire brigade school and the Upper Austrian Building Academy in Lachstatt. The aim of the training is to deepen and consolidate the knowledge already learned in order to optimally prepare the participants for the requirements of the fire service.

After successful completion, the participants are entitled to take part in operations in their respective fire departments. District fire brigade commander OBR Ing. Johannes Enzenhofer warmly congratulated the new fire brigade members on their graduation. The achievements of the graduates are impressive: of the 51 participants, 11 achieved the grade “very good” and 40 even achieved the top grade “excellent”.

The importance of fire service training

Fire service training forms the knowledge base for active firefighters and has continuously developed over the years. Wikipedia explains that modern technology, increasing traffic volumes and the increase in natural disasters place ever greater demands on fire brigade teams and leaders. These developments require the use of advanced equipment and vehicles that are tailored to increasingly dangerous operations.

The foundation for fire brigade training in Austria was laid in the 19th century, when the first regulations for the employment and training of fire brigade teams were issued. Milestones such as the introduction of the fire service regulations FwDV 2/1 in 1975 have revolutionized training. Today, squad training usually takes place in the fire department itself or at the district level.

Structure of the training

The training is divided into several parts: The squad training includes both the basic training course and the squad leader course. In addition, there is technical training, which includes radio operator and breathing apparatus training courses, as well as leadership training. What is particularly noteworthy is that training in Austria has been standardized since 2000, thus ensuring a uniform level of quality.

For thorough training, it is important that regular exercises take place, with at least 40 hours of further training per year. Participation in special specialist courses and the application of the acquired knowledge in practical exercises are also essential to ensure quality and safety in the fire service. Further information about this training content can be found on the website Upper Austrian Construction Academy to find.