Six applicants have completed their four-year basic training at the Holzkirchen fire brigade.
Not an easy undertaking in Corona times.
Holzkirchen
- The spark of determination to become a firefighter has never been extinguished despite Corona and the adversities it entails: Six candidates for the Holzkirchen fire brigade have now completed their four-year basic training.
The sextet passed the final exam a few days ago, which could finally take place.
A first appointment in November had to be canceled at short notice because of the lockdown that was imposed at the time.
“It wasn't easy for the boys,” says Commander Ludwig Würmseer.
In the hot phase of training, when the final exam was approaching, the first lockdown in spring 2020 prevented any training opportunities.
Then the group started again.
Training took place under the guidance of youth leader Sebastian Winter, and the test date was set for November 14th.
Then came the November lockdown - and it went back on hold.
“But they stuck with it,” said Würmseer in praise.
When it was possible to practice in groups again, the six did the exam preparation again - and were rewarded.
150 years of the Holzkirchen fire brigade: the anniversary that never took place
The group came to the fire brigade in April 2017. Two years later, the young men showed in the intermediate examination that they have mastered the basic module “Troop training”. "Anyone who is of legal age is allowed to take this test," explains the commander. The reward of this first test: The sextet can go on missions and gain practical experience. The final exam now ended the basic training. 2160 hours of training, spread over four years, are behind them. The trainers have an additional 590 hours for preparation and follow-up work.
The contact restrictions of the lockdowns posed problems for the fire services not only in terms of training.
"Corona also hurts us because it is hardly possible to socialize," says Würmseer.
The unusual anniversary celebration is only the tip of the iceberg.
The “team building” that is so important for the interaction during operations is sorely missed.
"The fire brigade can no longer be a meeting point, that doesn't exactly make it easy."
An epochal step for the fire brigade: when Holzkirchen received the first engine injection
Corona did not affect the recruitment of young people.
Another youth group with ten members has been practicing for about a year.
In the fall, a new group will join.
"It's done through word of mouth," says Würmseer happily, "we're not yet worried about recruiting young people."
Everything from the region is now also available in our new, regular Holzkirchen newsletter.
avh