The fire brigade in Altenbeken promises an exciting mix of young firefighters. The children should playfully learn the basics of fire service work and how to behave in the event of a fire.
“For example, a first aid course on cuddly toys or joint meetings with the youth fire brigade are planned,” explains child fire brigade warden Sebastian Klösener (45). The focus is also on sports and exercise games, handicraft lessons and communal baking and cooking afternoons.
Claudia Dommes is responsible for the educational management. The 55-year-old has been working as an educator in a daycare center for more than 30 years, where she is also involved as a specialist in inclusion. The newly established unit is supported by a four-person support team. The children’s fire brigade should meet every first Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. in the rooms of the Altenbeken secondary school.
“We would like to start with 15 children first and expand the offer if interested,” explains Claudia Dommes. The project is also funded by the Altenbeken community and the Seele Foundation from Paderborn, which are making the premises available free of charge, according to a press release from the Altenbeken fire brigade. “That is why we would like to thank you again for the good cooperation and preliminary planning,” says fire department warden Sebastian Klösener. When they reach the age of twelve, the children could easily switch to the youth fire brigade.
Rainer Hartmann, head of the Altenbeken fire brigade, is also happy about the little “Eggelöschis” in the ranks of the fire fighters: “Even the establishment of the youth fire brigade has become very well established in recent years. With the establishment of the children’s fire department, we are now closing a gap between fire protection education in kindergarten and the youth fire department. In addition, recruiting members for the volunteer fire brigade is mostly done through the offspring. “That is why the children’s fire brigade is a great tool to spark enthusiasm for the fire brigade at a young age,” Hartmann concluded.
The foundation of the Altenbeken children’s fire brigade was made possible by an amendment to the law in 2016. Since the law on fire protection, assistance and disaster control (BHKG) came into force, it has been possible in NRW to accept children from the age of six into the fire brigade. At the turn of the year 2020/21, the children’s fire brigades in NRW counted more than 3504 girls and boys.
Participation in the “Eggelöschis” is free. Parents can register their children by email if they are interested ([email protected]). Contact persons for further information are the children’s fire department Sebastian Klösener and Claudia Dommes.
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