Fire Department Excursion to Ingolstadt
In the vibrant city of Ingolstadt, the professional fire department is not just about putting out fires. From rescuing animals in unexpected predicaments to providing emotional support for their team, the firefighters wear many hats.
Josef Huber, the senior fire official and press spokesman for the department, shared some insights into their diverse tasks. "We handle a variety of incidents, from a cat stuck in a tree to swarms of bees on balconies, and even a beaver in the moat," he said.
Animal emergencies are part of the standard repertoire for the fire department. Despite the light-hearted nature of some of these incidents, they are taken seriously. Huber aims to significantly increase the number of women in the operational service, currently only 3.7% of the department's workforce.
The department registered around 4000 incidents annually, approximately ten per day. In 2024, the most frequent types of incidents were door openings, alarms from fire alarm systems, and traffic accidents.
Not every call ends with a smile. Traumatic incidents such as traffic accidents with fatalities or suicides on railway tracks can have a lasting psychological impact on firefighters. To mitigate this, the department provides basic training for emotional stabilization, and specific trained colleagues, known as peers, observe team behavior and provide support to prevent long-term effects.
Thomas Schimmer, a 50-year-old firefighter, and Uli Linder are among the dedicated professionals who respond to these calls. The department currently employs 161 individuals, with an average age of 37 years.
In the first half of 2025, the department had 3000 orders for consumables, totaling around one million euros. These costs are a testament to the department's commitment to being prepared for any situation.
However, not all animal emergencies require the fire department's intervention. Frozen swans, for instance, are a classic winter phenomenon, but they are usually just resting on the ice and not frozen. Helping them with sticks or stones can do more harm than good, as it can cause the animals to lose unnecessary energy.
Despite the challenges, the Ingolstadt professional fire department continues to serve the community with dedication and professionalism. In total, 192 people were rescued in various incidents, a testament to the department's lifesaving work.
Since 2014, Huber has been the chief fire director, leading the department through these diverse and challenging tasks. The search results do not provide the name of the woman who has held the position of Chief Director since 2014.
In a city where the fire department is more than just firefighters, their commitment to the community shines through in every call they respond to.
