Three lightning missions by the Pimpfing fire department in just two hours!

Three lightning missions by the Pimpfing fire department in just two hours!

On March 25, 2025, the Pimpfing and Linden fire departments in Upper Austria were alerted to a total of three operations that were carried out within just two hours. While the first operation involved clean-up work after a traffic accident on Andorfer Landstrasse 514, the fire brigades were also called upon to deal with another traffic accident on the B 137. They also helped open a door for the Red Cross.

The first incident reported an overturned tractor manure tank that tipped over when turning into an intersection. The barrel was damaged in the incident and its contents spilled into the adjacent field as well as the road. Fortunately, the driver was uninjured. In order to minimize the environmental impact, the fire brigades set up oil barriers in the Sonnleitenbach, while at the same time rerouting traffic and cleaning the road with a tank fire engine.

Subsequent operations and traffic accidents

The third operation involved a door opening that had been requested by Red Cross forces. Thanks to the quick response time, access to the affected building was quickly guaranteed and the operation was therefore completed quickly. The total duration of all three operations was around two hours, after which the operational readiness of both fire departments was restored Fireworld reported.

Challenges for the fire departments

The activities of the fire department in Andorf are in the context of an increasing number of operations in Austria. This was done by the Federal Fire Brigade Association which states that the past year was marked by extreme weather events and other challenges that demanded a lot from the fire brigade members both physically and mentally. In total, more than 34,000 operations were recorded in 2023, indicating the increasing demands caused by climate change.

Fire Department President Robert Mayer emphasized that the fire service organization needs a strong membership structure, technical and tactical innovations and sustainable funding to be prepared for these challenges. In 2023, fire departments in Austria rescued 9,354 people and 7,010 animals, demonstrating their central role in the country's security system. These developments highlight the need to strengthen the resilience of fire departments against crises and unforeseen events.

In a notable incident that occurred on February 28, 2025 in Andorf, the fire department also had to intervene in a train accident when a car got onto the tracks. These accidents, along with current operations, highlight the diversity and challenges facing the fire service, further reinforcing the need for comprehensive training and innovative solutions, such as Fire departments reported.