Historic fire engines: memories in the new book!

Historic fire engines: memories in the new book!

The Weilheim-Schongau District Fire Brigade Association has published an impressive book about historical fire engines on the occasion of its 30th anniversary. The author Petra Sobotta, who is also active as a chief firefighter, has invested countless hours in research and documentation over a period of three years, starting in 2021. Her concern to make the often hidden treasures of fire service history accessible to the public led to this extensive work, which was created in more than 60 photo sessions and over 4,200 images Mercury reported.

Insights into the past

The book entitled “Past Times – Living Memories” comprises 284 pages and presents not only the oldest fire engine in the district from 1873, but also numerous lovingly cared for historical fire engines. For the vivid recordings, some firefighters dressed in traditional uniforms and staged historical scenes, in which even old horses were harnessed to the fire engines. With this project, Petra Sobotta not only wanted to document the vehicles, but also to capture the stories and legacy of the fire department in a living form, which is why she also included anecdotes from the fire department members in the book. The work is not just a collection of photos, but an important testimony to the fire service history in the district, explained LFV Bayern.

The book was financed entirely through donations and is not being sold, but was distributed to the county's fire departments. A total of 1,000 copies were printed and interest is high, so a reprint cannot be ruled out. It is already available in the city libraries of Penzberg, Weilheim and Schongau. Rüdiger Sobotta, the district fire chief and husband of Petra, emphasizes the importance of this project in recognizing the achievements of her predecessors and preserving the history of the fire service for future generations.