Fire safety education: New district fire chief in the district

In a small ceremony in the district building, First District Councillor Karl-Friedrich Frese swore in Mr Sven Büsse from Volkmarsen as the new district fire chief for the area of fire safety education and fire safety awareness. Mr Büsse succeeds Karl Briehl from Welleringhausen, who retired from his position as an honorary civil servant after 32 years of service.

"The fire safety education and fire safety information provided by the volunteer fire brigades aims to sensitise our fellow citizens to dangerous situations," explained the First District Councillor at the ceremony. Should a fire nevertheless get out of control and people find themselves in an emergency situation, prudent action is absolutely crucial, especially in the first few minutes, added district fire inspector Gerhard Biederbick.

This is where fire safety education in kindergartens and primary schools comes in, including teaching important rules of behaviour and practising how to call the fire brigade or rescue service on the emergency number 112. The aim is to instil confidence in one's own abilities at a young age when dealing with dangerous situations. At the same time, the tasks of the rescue organisations are presented and young people are recruited for the junior departments.

The new district fire chief, Sven Büsse, has been involved in fire safety education in Volkmarsen for many years. "Imparting knowledge and skills in dealing with fire and its prevention is a matter close to my heart," he emphasised, adding that personal contact with people of all ages gives him great pleasure.

With Mr Büsse, the district is continuing and expanding fire safety education as a social obligation, according to the First District Councillor. Mr Büsse's conceptual ideas were completely convincing. "The specialist service for rescue services, fire and disaster protection will of course continue to support the fire brigades' educational measures," emphasised the district fire inspector. Frese and Biederbick concluded by thanking former district fire chief Karl Briehl for his many years of service in the field of youth fire brigades and fire safety education.

Background: Fire safety education and awareness
In the public perception, the work of fire brigades is usually associated with the tasks of extinguishing fires, providing technical assistance in the event of accidents and minimising major incidents of all kinds. The fact that volunteer firefighters also carry out valuable prevention work is often forgotten.

In Waldeck-Frankenberg, over 100 firefighters offer voluntary prevention work. They have undergone specific and pedagogical training to prepare them for their educational programmes in kindergartens, schools or in a wide range of adult education courses. They are supported and funded by the state of Hesse, the district administration and the local authorities.

For example, firefighters can access free fire safety education materials for all age groups. The offer includes a new fire safety education mobile, which was provided fully equipped by the Ministry of the Interior and covers all aspects of educational work. Volunteer fire brigades can borrow the mobile for their educational work free of charge.

Caption: First district councillor Karl-Friedrich Frese, former district fire chief Karl Briehl, district fire chief Sven Büsse and district fire inspector Gerhard Biederbick (from left to right) in front of the new fire safety education mobile, which is already being used extensively. (Photo: District of Waldeck-Frankenberg)