Kaufbeuren-Oberbeuren - The volunteer fire brigade Oberbeuren celebrated its 150th anniversary last Sunday with a festive church service in the open air and in the middle of town.
The celebration of the 150th anniversary of the voluntary fire brigade Oberbeuren was small but nice. "We deliberately kept the anniversary small this year because we didn't know how the pandemic situation was going to develop," said fire brigade commander Stefan Waldner. For this reason the decision was “only” for a festive service to commemorate the establishment of the Oberbeuren volunteer fire brigade. Since the firefighters took care of the renewal and erection of the maypole this year, the place for the open air service was quickly found. In front of the house of the clubs and on the maypole, numerous firefighters and visitors came together for the festive service, which was accompanied musically by the Oberbeurer music association "Harmonie".
Pastor Bernhard Waltner, who was supported at the mass by Deacon Alfred Fraidling, encouraged the active fire fighters and their supporters: "You are a blessing for us all". In his sermon, Waltner spoke, among other things, on the subject of "You should love your neighbor as yourself" and found many impulses for volunteer work in the fire brigade in the story of the good Samaritan. The clergyman first emphasized the culture of looking at the Florian's disciples: “Perceiving need”.
As a member of the fire brigade on duty, whether in a car accident, a full basement or a fire, you need this attentive eye for the respective situation.
For the next step, "Act concretely, as you can", there are different approaches and entanglements, from the large international contexts to our own small personal circles.
The firefighters are very specific in their operations.
As the town pastor, Waltner thanked her for her beneficial service: “God bless you”.
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The 3rd mayor of Kaufbeuren, Dr.
Erika Rössler, sent best wishes in her greetings and called the fire brigade comrade to “keep it up”.
© Krusche
On behalf of the city, the 3rd mayor of the city of Kaufbeuren, Dr.
Erika Rössler, for the 150th anniversary and for living community and help for people in dire need.
She recalled the rescue operations of the fire brigades when the skyscraper collapsed in New York, but also when the clubhouse exploded in Oberbeuren or fires in the city of Kaufbeuren.
The fire brigade is an elementary part of our safety precautions, in Oberbeuren since the fire brigade was founded on May 1, 1871.
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The festival service in Oberbeuren was musically framed by the music association "Harmonie" Oberbeuren.
© Krusche
Since 1993 there has been an official partnership between the Oberbeuren volunteer fire brigade and the Klausdorf volunteer fire brigade, and in 1998 the completion of the new tool shed was celebrated. The first children's fire brigade in the city network was founded in Oberbeuren in 2016. The association currently has 140 members, including five women among the 48 active members. The mayor thanked the fire fighters from Oberbeuren on behalf of the citizens of the city with “keep it up”. The municipality continues to stand by its fire department.
Association chairman Michael Waldner emphasized that the fire brigade has been an integral part of Oberbeuren since 1871.
They would perform their tasks of “deleting, saving, recovering and protecting” 365 days a year and 24 hours a day as a service to others.
Finally, he campaigned for personal support for the voluntary fire brigade through active or passive membership.
Chronicle of the volunteer fire brigade Oberbeuren
• May 1, 1871 Foundation of the FFW Oberbeuren after the purchase of a modern four-wheel suction and pressure sprayer, which was still pulled by horses. There was a so-called “syringe covering service” for the “extinguishing machine”. The disengagement time at that time was about ten minutes, which was considerable at that time. In addition, the men were still alerted with shouts of fire and trumpets. Within one year there were 78 active members of the team.
• 1902 alarm by bell signal
• 1913 First carnival ball found in the records. Even today there is an annual well-attended carnival ball that is enriched with theater, dance or singing performances
• 1972 The 100 - year celebration with demonstration exercise in front of the church and ceremony in the inn "Grüner Baum"
• July 1, 1972 incorporated into Kaufbeuren. The FFW Oberbeuren thus becomes a district defense - but remains independent with its own commander and its own board
• 1986 The 115th anniversary and flag consecration in the Zeppelin Hall with a big party
• Friendship since 1988 and official partnership with FFW Klausdorf from Schleswig-Holstein since 1993. Mutual partnership visits that enrich club life. This resulted in lasting friendships that are intensively and regularly cultivated. A special fire brigade partnership that is looking for its equal.
• 1990 Acquisition of the dangerous goods wagon, for which the FFW Oberbeuren together with the comrades from Neugablonz is responsible to this day.
• 1996 125th anniversary with a large marquee and pageant through Oberbeuren
• 1998 move and inauguration of the new tool shed
• 2002 Inauguration of the new multi-purpose vehicle
• 2004 Inauguration of the new fire fighting vehicle named LF 10-6
• 2011 participation in "Oberbeuren celebrates"
• In 2016, the children's fire brigade was founded as the first in the city fire brigade association
• In 2021 the community's maypole will be completely renewed and erected on the “birthday”
• five active female firefighters and 43 active firefighters (total: 48)
• FFW Oberbeuren has a total of 140 members (active, passive, sponsoring, honorary members)
Wolfgang G. Krusche