Did you know that the Feuerwache Lichtenberg wasn’t always a fire station? The land it stands on has a surprising past.
Feuerwache Lichtenberg is more than just a place for fighting fires. It’s a critical part of Berlin’s emergency response network. The Feuerwache Lichtenberg is located in the district of Lichtenberg. Its watch number is 6400. This fire station plays a vital role in protecting the community.
Once, this land belonged to the Ministry for State Security. It was home to a guesthouse. Then, at an unknown time, it was converted into a fire station. This fire station was exclusively responsible for the Ministry for State Security.
But the story of firefighting in Lichtenberg goes back much further. The Freiwillige Feuerwehr Lichtenberg, the volunteer fire department, has a rich history. It’s one of the oldest in Berlin. It was founded on March 6, 1876, when Lichtenberg was still an independent community.
As Lichtenberg grew with a rising population and industry, it gained city rights in 1908. In 1920, Lichtenberg was incorporated into Greater Berlin. But in 1926, the establishment of a professional fire brigade made the volunteer fire department obsolete. Fifty years after its founding, it disbanded.
However, after World War II, East Berlin was rebuilt. The Freiwillige Feuerwehr Lichtenberg was re-established on October 1, 1970. It was assigned its own area of responsibility. Until reunification, the volunteer fire department lacked a traditional firehouse. It operated from a converted passage in a high-rise building.
In 1991, the unit moved into a typical East German fire station on Storkower Strasse. Political decisions led to the closure of that firehouse in 2004. Amid protests, the volunteer firefighters relocated to the Feuerwache Lichtenberg of the professional fire brigade on Josef-Orlopp-Strasse.
Since then, the Freiwillige Feuerwehr Lichtenberg has been a B-Wehr. It no longer has its own designated area. Today, the Feuerwache Lichtenberg also supports volunteer firefighters. The BF 6400 Lichtenberg provides support for FF 6401 Lichtenberg and FF 6310 Hohenschönhausen.
The Feuerwache Lichtenberg is staffed with 16 personnel during the day and 14 at night. The volunteer fire department is alerted via digital pagers. They respond when full-time colleagues are occupied with major incidents, like storms or large fires. They help maintain basic protection for the population. They also assist at large events like New Year’s Eve celebrations.
The Freiwillige Feuerwehr Lichtenberg meets for planned service. They often work alongside the professional firefighters. They provide training with instructors for breathing apparatus and fall protection. They also have trainers for chainsaw operation and mobile breathing protection.
The Jugendfeuerwehr Lichtenberg, the youth fire brigade, was founded on October 10, 1998. It was the 39th youth fire brigade in Berlin.
So, the next time you see the Feuerwache Lichtenberg, remember its story. It is a story of guesthouses, volunteer spirit, and unwavering dedication to protecting the city.