In order to find a contemporary replacement for the much too small fire station in the center of Grünbach, this time the activists did not have to turn out with their red cars.
Rather, a few interventions by Mayor Lorenz Angermaier and the municipal administration were necessary.
A suitable area for a new house has now been found, directly at the junction of the B 388 with Graf-Seinsheim-Strasse.
How this area, which is located on a slope, could be optimally developed was presented to Bockhorn's municipal council on Thursday evening.
Bockhorn/Grünbach – "Since it was not a municipal area, discussions with the owner were necessary, but they were very constructive," Angermaier gave an insight into the acquisition process, "thanks to a property exchange, the municipality now owns the area" .
At the new location, the fire brigade would have the advantage of being able to turn onto the main road immediately without having to walk long distances through the village, so they could get to their operations faster.
Under this maxim, the municipality commissioned an engineering office from Deggendorf that specializes in fire stations, and its owner Georg Lorenz presented the project.
The planners are thinking of a large steel hall with space for two fire engines.
A workshop and an equipment store are planned behind it, and the heating – an air heat pump system – and a technical room are also located on the upper floor.
Directly next to this hall, a brick, lower house is attached, which is connected to it at ground level.
Because there, on the ground floor, are the changing rooms for the fire brigade, separated for men and women, as well as sanitary rooms.
Thus, the fire service could quickly get dressed and go straight to the vehicles parked next to it.
The Operations Center is also located on this level.
A staircase down to the basement, which blends in well with the terrain due to its hillside location, leads to a lounge with south-facing windows and the fire brigade lounge.
Both buildings should each have a pent roof sloping from north to south, ideally with photovoltaic panels mounted on it.
Sufficient parking spaces are also provided: Both next to the fire brigade exit on the B 388 and behind the house, with the access through Graf-Seinsheim-Straße, the active people can park their cars during operations.
The drawings presented are not yet final, also as far as the external design of the buildings is concerned.
The amount of the expected construction costs is also still vague: "We expect a sum of between 1.5 and 1.9 million euros," says Lorenz.
In Bockhorn's budget, 600,000 euros have been earmarked for this in 2023.
In order to be able to make at least small savings, the fire brigade has agreed to do voluntary work.
Commander Nicolas Stenglein said: "We are willing to help with painting or tiling work, but also with IT installations with our own resources.
We are also happy to provide advice and support for the outdoor facilities.”
The association also wants to get involved financially, for example by equipping the parlor or the partition wall to the training/lounge.
"In addition", says Stenglein, "we would like to offer so-called building blocks to the local population for sale as a kind of fundraising campaign".
The fire service, which is also to receive a new vehicle in the coming year, currently has 28 active members.
"You are a well-trained and highly motivated team, but not enough," stated Mayor Angermaier.
For this reason, more members, including career changers, should be recruited for active service and youth work should be intensified.
Perhaps the prospect of a new, attractive fire station will help.
If the schedules are met, the tender could take place in autumn 2023.
Construction could start in spring 2024, and the fire station would be ready in summer 2025.
