Fire department democracy project "Funkstoff" celebrates anniversary
Hannes Möller, Chairman of the State Fire Brigade Association in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, sees the volunteer fire departments as the last open points of contact in many communities. "In many places, there is no longer a doctor or a baker. But the fire department may still be there," he said on Monday in Schwerin. In addition to their actual duties, members of the fire departments are contact persons for the citizens and are therefore indispensable for the community. The association initiated the "Funkstoff" democracy project to support members of voluntary and professional fire departments in their social role. It celebrates its tenth anniversary on Tuesday.
"Funkstoff" is intended for further training, but also to support new volunteers, said Möller. For example, seminars are offered on the promotion of women in the fire department and on intergenerational cooperation. He himself always takes part in them. "It's incredibly enriching," said Möller. The generational change in particular is driving the fire departments. For example, it is important to build up an understanding of the perspectives of young people among fire service leaders - and vice versa. Conflict counseling within the fire department is also an issue.
The further training should also prepare the emergency services for future operations, continued the association chairman. There are already many more emergencies involving elderly people living alone. Climate change and the associated increase in vegetation fires were also a concern for the fire departments. Due to large forest fires in June of this year, the originally planned anniversary celebration for the "Funkstoff" project was canceled.
This ceremony will now be held at the Ministry of the Interior. According to Möller, it will also be about the future of the project. "Funkstoff" is part of the federal "Cohesion through Participation" program and will continue to receive funding until the end of 2024.
According to the association, there are 965 voluntary fire departments in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern with around 40,000 members.
Despite the cancellation of the original anniversary celebration due to large forest fires, the "Funkstoff" project, a part of the federal "Cohesion through Participation" program, will still be commemorated at the Ministry of the Interior. Moving forward, the fire department leaders need to understand the perspectives of young people and address conflicts within their ranks, as these factors are crucial for handling the increasing number of emergencies, especially those involving elderly people living alone and vegetation fires brought about by climate change. The fire department, being an essential part of the community, should continue to fix any internal issues and prepare for future emergencies to ensure they can continue serving as a vital point of contact in many communities, especially during unexpected emergencies.
Source: www.dpa.com
