On Saturday 5 September, Fire Station 1, Schadestraße 11, will be open to the public from 9 am to 4 pm. The event marks two special anniversaries: the Chemnitz Professional Fire Brigade has been in existence for 160 years, and the main fire station on Schadestraße for 120 years.
This was announced today by Mayor Knut Kunze and the Head of the Chemnitz Fire Service, René Kraus.
At the open day on 5 September, visitors will be able to explore the historic fire station, discover modern fire-fighting equipment and gain an insight into the work of the fire service through numerous demonstrations.
The day begins at 9 am with a musical greeting from a trumpeter on the tower of Fire Station 1. Various water-tank fire engines will be on display throughout the day on the green opposite the fire station. The ‘Krankenstall’ will host an exhibition on preventative fire safety. An ambulance will also be on display there. Historical and modern fire-fighting equipment, models and a historic hand-operated fire pump on a horse trailer round off the programme.
During guided tours of the fire station, visitors can explore the historic building from the inside. The tours start from 10 am at 45-minute intervals. In the training room, the fire brigade will also be screening the series ‘Die Feuerwehr bei DMAX’. The Chemnitz – Erzgebirgskreis – Mittelsachsen Integrated Regional Control Centre will provide an insight into the journey of an emergency call: from the initial report right through to the journey to hospital.
There is plenty to discover, especially for children. A bouncy castle, face painting, candyfloss, popcorn and soft ice cream provide entertainment. At the water spray wall, young guests can try for themselves how firefighters work with water. The Youth Fire Brigade’s trailer is also on site. Skill and courage are required for the beer crate stacking challenge.
- Several demonstrations highlight the diverse nature of the fire service’s work: from 10.30 am to 11 am, anyone interested can watch the turntable ladder climb.
- From 11.00 am to 12.00 pm, the chemical protection vehicle will be on display. During this, emergency services personnel will also demonstrate how to don chemical protection suits.
- Between 12 noon and 1 pm, there will be a demonstration by the High-Altitude and Rescue Service Group (HRD) at the hose tower and on the inclined rope.
- The Chemnitz Fire Service’s drone unit will be presenting itself from 1.00 pm to 2.00 pm.
- From 2 pm to 3 pm, trainees will demonstrate their skills at the ‘Fire and Rescue Games’ on the sports field.
- Afterwards, from 3.00 pm to 3.30 pm, visitors can try their hand at using fire extinguishers correctly on a training simulator.
- To round off the event, a demonstration using the tree-bending simulator is scheduled from 3.30 pm to 4 pm.
Visitors can also find out more about the ‘Region of Lifesavers’ first-aid app at an information stand. Firefighters will be on hand to answer questions about their work, the equipment they use and the various roles within the fire service.
There will also be drinks, coffee and cake, as well as food from the barbecue, available from 9.30 am.
The history of Fire Station 1
The history of the main fire station on Schadestraße dates back to 1905: on 11 January 1905, the decision was taken to build a new main fire station. According to the plans drawn up by the Building Authority, the cost was estimated at 650,000 marks. The foundation stone was laid on 2 October 1905. As early as 15 December 1906, the professional fire brigade moved into the new building.
In the decades that followed, the fire service underwent a fundamental transformation. What had initially been a fire service that responded to incidents primarily with horse-drawn carriages and hand-operated equipment evolved into a modern emergency response organisation with motorised vehicles, turntable ladders, an ambulance service and increasingly sophisticated technology. In 1916, a turntable ladder manufactured by Magirus in Ulm arrived in Chemnitz; for the first time, all ladder movements were powered by the vehicle’s engine. This meant that a single firefighter could operate the ladder on their own.
From 1 January 1920, patient transport and the ambulance service became part of the remit of the professional fire service in Chemnitz. Control and communications technology also continued to develop. In the 1950s, a new fire alarm control centre was established at the main fire station; later, a command centre was set up there.
Throughout its history, the fire station and its crews have faced numerous serious incidents. These include major fires, floods, storms and bombing raids during the Second World War. During the heavy bombing raid on Chemnitz on 5 March 1945, the remaining emergency personnel were able to prevent major damage to the main fire station.
Even after the war, the fire station remained a key hub for fire safety in the city.
Following German reunification, the professional fire service was equipped with new technology and underwent a comprehensive transformation. From 1991 onwards, the building complex comprising the main fire station and the city archives was gradually refurbished. Over a period of twelve years, specialists adapted the premises to meet the requirements of a modern fire service. In doing so, they also had to take into account the requirements of the listed building regulations. Operations continued as normal whilst this work was being carried out.
Today, members of the professional fire brigade work round the clock at Fire Station 1. The equipment includes, amongst other things, a rescue and fire-fighting vehicle, a turntable ladder, a rescue truck, a tanker, an ambulance and specialist vehicles for various operational scenarios. The high-altitude and rescue service team is also stationed at Fire Station 1.
The Chemnitz Professional Fire Brigade was founded on 10 October 1866. Today, the professional firefighters, together with members of the voluntary fire brigades, ensure that people in Chemnitz receive rapid assistance around the clock.
The double anniversary will be celebrated not only with an open day at Fire Station 1 but also with a range of other events. For example, an exhibition on the theme of ‘Fire and Flame’ will be on display at the Schloßberg Museum from November onwards.