65 Years of the Lobeda Youth Fire Department

The Lobeda Youth Fire Department celebrated its 65th anniversary. Members of the youth fire department, active and former firefighters, and long-time supporters gathered for the anniversary celebration at “Zum Bären” in Lobeda’s Old Town. Mayor and Head of Public Safety Benjamin Koppe also attended the celebration. The evening focused on looking back on 65 years of the youth fire department and its development up to the present day.

The history of the youth fire department began as the “AG Junge Brandschutzhelfer” (Young Fire Safety Aides Club). Since then, training has evolved, as have the technical equipment and the range of skills taught.

“The Lobeda Youth Fire Department’s 65-year history stands for extraordinary continuity. As one of Thuringia’s oldest youth fire departments, it has played a vital role for generations in attracting people to volunteer with the fire department on a long-term basis. The fact that members repeatedly move from its ranks into the operational division—and that some later even pursue a career in the fire department—shows just how lasting the impact of this commitment is. The city of Jena owes its thanks to everyone who has supported this work over the decades and continues to do so today,” said Mayor and Head of Public Safety Benjamin Koppe on the evening of the anniversary celebration.

Gruppe von Menschen schauen in die Kamera und halten eine 65 in vor sich.

V.l.: Gunter Horn (Gründungsmitglied der Jugendfeuerwehr und ehem. Wehrleiter), Felix Klingelstein, Colin Ludwig , Mario Vieweger, Sophia Peter, Thomas Ziermann, Steffen Schreiber, Niclas Petruch, Robin Altmann-Krause und Bürgermeister Benjamin Koppe

Currently, 24 young people are members of the Lobeda Youth Fire Department. Niclas Petruch and Sofia Peter are in charge of the youth program. During regular training sessions, the children and teenagers learn, among other things, how to handle hoses, ladders, and other firefighting equipment; practice first aid; and acquire basic knowledge for firefighting service. The program also includes group activities and events.

During the anniversary celebration, attendees looked back on the past decades through historical photos, memories, and personal anecdotes. This highlighted how training, equipment, and operating conditions have changed since the early days.

Pictured: Together for the Lobeda Youth Fire Department (from left): Gunter Horn (founding member of the youth fire department and fire chief in the late 1980s), Felix Klingelstein (member of the fire department), Colin Ludwig (member of the fire department), Mario Vieweger (chairman of the Lobeda Fire Department Association), Sophia Peter (deputy youth leader), Thomas Ziermann (fire chief), Steffen Schreiber (deputy fire chief), Niclas Petruch (youth leader), Robin Altmann-Krause (city youth fire department coordinator), and Mayor and Head of Public Safety Benjamin Koppe at the celebration marking the 65th anniversary of the Lobeda Youth Fire Department.