Change of leadership at the Jena fire department

After almost four decades of active service, Ralf Hertig, Head of Fire Services for the City of Jena, is retiring. On June 1, 2025, his long-time colleague Nick Ludwig - an experienced firefighter from the city's own ranks - will take over the reins.

A life for the protection of others

Ralf Hertig began his service in the Jena professional fire department on March 1, 1986. After completing his basic training at the firefighting school in Nardt in the same year, he was promoted to the higher service in 1995 and finally to the higher service in 2018. During his 39-year career, he played a key role in shaping the development of the Jena fire department - not least through his 20 years as watch commander and head of operations.

"The fire department was never just a job for me, it was a vocation," says Hertig looking back.

Team spirit, mutual trust and the protection of others were always particularly important to him. His formative experiences include the period of political upheaval at the beginning of the 1990s, the establishment of new structures, numerous major operations and the steadily growing cooperation between the professional and volunteer fire departments.

Despite technical advances and organizational changes, one thing remains central to Hertig: "The fire department is an indispensable part of our urban society - this must remain a political priority in the future."

Even after his official retirement, Hertig remains connected to the fire department: He is still active in the Jena-Wogau volunteer fire department, where he has been involved for 47 years.

An experienced successor: Nick Ludwig takes over the reins

Nick Ludwig, who can look back on a long career himself, is taking over the management of the Jena fire department. He has worked for the Jena professional fire department since 2006 - including as a firefighter in the fire and rescue service, as a dispatcher in the control center and as team leader for training and personnel. His career in the fire department began in 1994 in the Lobeda-Altstadt youth fire department, and he later served as fire chief of the local volunteer fire department for 15 years.

Ludwig takes on his new role with great respect, but also with anticipation and a desire to shape the future: "I want to continue to develop the Jena fire department as an efficient, modern and attractive organization - for our city, for our employees and for everyone who supports us."

Ludwig is focusing on future-oriented personnel development, investment in modern technology and close cooperation with partners within and outside the city administration. He not only brings extensive professional experience with him, but also a clear attitude: "If you want to achieve great things - start with the little things."

Ludwig pays great respect to his predecessor Ralf Hertig: "His calm, clear leadership and his commitment to full-time and voluntary work have set standards. I am grateful that he stood by my side during the transition phase with his wealth of experience."

Appreciation from the city leadership

Lord Mayor Dr. Thomas Nitzsche paid tribute to Hertig when handing over the retirement certificate with the following words: "Ralf Hertig is a firefighter with heart and soul. In all the conversations we have had - no matter what the topic - it has always been clear that he is not just the boss, but one of them, a true comrade. With great commitment, professional expertise and human clarity, he has had a decisive influence on the Jena fire department for almost four decades. His tireless commitment - in daily service, in personnel matters as well as in extraordinary crisis situations - deserves the highest respect. On behalf of the city of Jena and all those present: Thank you very much for almost 40 years of service to our city!"

Mayor and Head of Safety Benjamin Koppe also expressed his thanks and identified challenges for the fire department: "Ralf Hertig has played a decisive role in shaping the work of the Jena fire department for decades. As a true veteran, he was a reliable constant in the service for the safety of the city. With his calm, focused manner and his professional depth, he has made a significant contribution to the stability and efficiency of the specialist service. Even after his retirement, he remains closely connected to the city - through his involvement in the Jenaprießnitz volunteer fire department and as mayor of the district. This voluntary work shows how strong his personal commitment to Jena is. At the same time, the fire department is facing important structural tasks: The growing demands on fire protection, disaster control and rescue services make it necessary to critically review existing processes and established structures - for example in the professional fire department and in the organization of the control centre and rescue service. The new fire protection and development plan, which will be presented this year, will identify these and other challenges and show concrete steps for action."

Outlook and thanks

As he leaves, Hertig has one last wish for his successor: "Trust in your professional strength and your intuition - and always remember that firefighting is not a profession, but a job: Firefighting is not a profession, but a vocation."

The city of Jena and the entire fire department would like to thank Ralf Hertig for his exceptional commitment and wish him all the best for the new phase of his life - and Nick Ludwig a successful start in his new role and always a lucky hand with the challenges ahead.

Ein besonderer Moment mit Tradition: In diesem Jahr wird Ralf Hertig verabschiedet – die gesamte Mannschaft der Feuerwehr Jena ehrt ihn mit einem Abschiedsfoto vor dem Rathaus.

© ©Stadt Jena