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Ratzeburg's fire department divers on the brink of extinction: a bitter decision!
The Ratzeburg Finance Committee decides to end the fire department's diving group. Critics warn of consequences for water rescue.
Ratzeburg's fire department divers on the brink of extinction: a bitter decision!
Ratzeburg.A dramatic decision has sidelined the diving group of the volunteer fire department in Ratzeburg! The Finance Committee voted by a narrow 6:5, and the decision has been made: It's over on December 31st! The CDU, SPD and Greens cheer, while the Free Ratzeburg Voters' Association (FRW) and the FDP voted desperately against it. Kristian Koß, the head of the special unit, is bitterly disappointed: “Let’s see how everything goes on and see if the city hasn’t done itself a favor.”
The background to this shocking decision? Since 2021, responsibility for water rescue has rested with the DLRG, and Mayor Eckhard Graf sees no reason to step in for the fire department group. “We have to concentrate on the core tasks,” he explains. But the FRW fought until the end and demanded 15,000 euros annually from the city budget to maintain unity. But this application was also rejected with a clear no. Jürgen Hentschel from the FRW is stunned: “This is absolutely disappointing when it comes to volunteer work!”
The fire department divers: A valuable team
The special fire brigade unit was known beyond the city limits for its operational readiness. Every Saturday the dedicated volunteers trained for diving missions. But now the end is imminent! Marion Wisbar (CDU) is unmoved: “You have to be tough sometimes.” The SPD defends the decision and emphasizes that the diving group has no safety-related tasks. Uwe Martens, parliamentary group leader of the SPD, remains silent about the allegations. However, the firefighters are anything but enthusiastic: “Emotions are running high right now,” says Koß.
The Ratzeburg fire department divers were not only in demand locally, but also in Hamburg and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Hentschel criticizes the fact that the majority in the committee was not interested in the valuable support. The diving group's equipment will probably be auctioned off after the closure to ease the burden on the city's cash-strapped budget. A bitter farewell for a team that was always ready to save lives!