Great willingness to help after a fire at the volunteer fire department in Offenbach an der Queich

After the devastating fire at the volunteer fire department in Offenbach an der Queich (Südliche Weinstrasse district), the administration is feeling a huge wave of willingness to help. “I was particularly impressed by the solidarity from within our own population, but also far beyond,” said District Administrator Dietmar Seefeldt (CDU) to the German Press Agency. Offers of help have been received from almost all over the country.

The fire department hall was burned out in the fire on the night of September 28th. Six vehicles were destroyed and the damage ran into millions of euros. Firefighters were able to save some vehicles from the flames. “It is not a given that we can ensure operational readiness again,” said Seefeldt. Numerous people and institutions offered vehicles, equipment, money or other support.

Fire department coordinates offers

There were also offers of help for the emergency services themselves, such as food. The fire department is currently coordinating the offers, said Seefeldt. First, we have to sort out what is needed in the short term, what is needed in the medium term and where there is a gap in the long term.

For him, the support is also an important sign of social cohesion. “It’s far from all bad, and this is a wonderful example,” said the district administrator. The firefighters in Offenbach worked on a voluntary basis and “lost their old home” as a result of the fire. This makes appreciation for their work all the more important.

Backing from the country

There is also support from the political levels. The State Office for Fire and Disaster Protection (LfBK) and the State Fire and Fire Department Inspector as well as State Secretary Dirk Herber have promised support. The aim now is to restore the destroyed infrastructure as quickly as possible. The hall had to be built and new vehicles had to be purchased, said Seefeldt. However, a specific period of time cannot be given.

Meanwhile, investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing. There will be another appointment in the new week. Seefeldt did not want to anticipate the result. It is being checked whether a technical defect caused the fire. The equipment of future fire station houses must also be examined. It is conceivable, for example, to build smaller units that accommodate fewer vehicles. For larger halls, the question of a fire alarm system arises.