On Wednesday, 25 June at 9.30 a.m., the head of the Chemnitz City Fire Department, René Kraus, will hand over the management of the height rescue service from the previous incumbent, Knut Liebe, to the new head, Uwe Geißler.
On this occasion, the height rescuers from all three watch shifts and companions of Knut Liebe came together. A cable-stayed installation will be set up in front of Fire Station 1 by the height rescue team. In addition, operational clothing from the past will be presented on the façade in three rope teams. A height rescue equipment vehicle and the smaller predecessor model will serve as fixed points.
Representatives of the media are invited to attend.
Rescue at height in Chemnitz
The height rescue service in the Chemnitz City Fire Department was headed by Knut Liebe from November 2010 to May 2025. He introduced new structures and training plans. During this period, new devices and equipment were also procured, as well as the height rescue equipment vehicle.
Under the leadership of Knut Liebe, the Special Rescue from Heights and Depths (SRHT) department has gained a national reputation and proven this in numerous performance comparisons: Since 2004, the rescue from heights department has participated annually in the National Performance Comparison of Professional Fire Departments and has always achieved top placings, including 2nd place twice.
In 2012, the national performance comparison took place at the Chemnitz Exhibition Centre. In 2019, the Chemnitz team achieved 1st place at the National Comparison of Rescue Teams at Height (SRHT) on the sailing ship "Rickmer Rickmers" in Hamburg.
The height rescue team of the Chemnitz professional fire brigade has also demonstrated its capabilities in many different operations to rescue people and animals from industrial plants, chimneys, high-voltage pylons, quarries, construction cranes, etc.