From mid-May, it will be travelling on various routes in Giessen and the surrounding area: The Stadtwerke Gießen AG (SWG) fire service bus. Together with the district fire inspector and chairman of the Gießen District Fire Brigade Association, Gert Battenfeld, Manfred Siekmann, CEO of SWG, will send the city bus on its way in the design of the fire brigade.The fact that the city bus with the emblem of the fire brigade travels through the university city every day is just one sign of the partnership between Stadtwerke and the district fire brigade association. Stadtwerke wants to set an example and make people in the region aware of the diverse work and commitment of the fire brigades. "The likelihood of having to rely on the fire brigade to save lives or provide assistance has never been greater. We want to give people in the region peace of mind and actively address this issue. What better way to be present in Giessen than on a city bus that travels through Giessen every day?" says Battenfeld from the district fire brigade association. The tasks of the fire brigades in fire protection, environmental protection and assistance are of enormous importance. In order to support this social commitment, we are also a partner of the district fire brigade association. Because we see ourselves as a partner of the region in which we live," says SWG board member Siekmann. The city bus not only drives through Giessen with the fire brigade emblem, but also offers the respective organisers of the district fire brigade day - which takes place every year in various municipalities in the district of Giessen - an additional advertising space: the district fire brigade day is advertised on the back of the bus every year. This year, the city bus is advertising the Giessen Volunteer Fire Brigade and its 150th anniversary. "This is a special year for the volunteer fire brigade. Not only are we organising the 59th District Fire Brigade Day this year, but we are also celebrating our 150th anniversary. It is therefore a special pleasure for us that the bus is travelling in the service of the volunteer fire brigade," explains Mario Bohnet, Chairman of the Giessen Volunteer Fire Brigade. Strong partnersThe municipal utilities and the fire brigades are strong partners. The Giessen-based energy and water supplier already presented itself together with the fire brigades at the Mittelhessenschau 2004. SWG supports the fire brigades' "Herz-Retter" ("Heart Saviour") campaign by donating a defibrillator to the professional fire brigade. The fire brigades and the municipal utilities have even been working hand in hand in the area of training since last year: the partners jointly organise an open day for young people who are looking for an apprenticeship.