In 2014, the volunteer fire brigades from the region once again demonstrated their enormous wealth of ideas. With their projects in the fourth edition of the "Fire brigade of the future" innovation competition, they also demonstrated the great diversity of their tasks.
For the fourth time, Stadtwerke Gießen (SWG) and the district fire brigade association were looking for the volunteer fire brigades with the most creative ideas and the most innovative projects. On 17 November, they awarded the winners of the "Fire brigade of the future" competition.
First place went to the Annerod volunteer fire brigade. The volunteers have developed a solution to a challenge faced by many volunteer fire brigades. It is about the often reduced operational strength during the core working hours on weekdays - Mondays to Fridays between 9 am and 5 pm. The main reason for the reduced operational strength is that many members of the volunteer fire brigade work outside of Annerod and have a long journey to make when the alarm is raised. Employees of local companies could fill the gap as a kind of "daytime fire brigade". In particular, all those employees who are already active as volunteers in other municipalities are addressed. District Administrator Anita Schneider, member of the jury for the "Fire brigade of the future" competition, emphasised: "The competition shows how modern and innovative our volunteer fire brigades in the district of Giessen are. The projects submitted make this clear and provide impetus for fire service work in the district."
Second place went to the Großen-Linden volunteer fire brigade, which pursues an innovative training concept. The Reiskirchen volunteer fire brigade took third place with its commitment to fire education in primary schools.
Fifth round next year
The jury members Anita Schneider, SWG company spokesperson Ina Weller and Michael Weber, first chairman of the district fire brigade association, jointly presented the prize money at a ceremony in the SWG main building in Lahnstraße: 1500 euros for the winner, 1000 euros for second place and 500 euros for third place. The commitment of the volunteers in the fourth year of the ideas competition was emphasised once again. The jury also announced that there will be a new edition in 2015.
This year's decision for the first to third places was not an easy one, explained Ina Weller, adding: "All the fire services have made it clear that they take on a variety of important tasks. This emphasises the enormous importance of their voluntary work for the people in the region."