Consider the scene: A siren wails. It pierces the air as a fire truck speeds from the Berufsfeuerwache Tempelhof. This is not just any fire station. This is a vital hub for Berlin’s emergency services.
The Berufsfeuerwache Tempelhof stands ready. It serves a large area with diverse needs. Warehouses, hospitals, industrial zones, and highways are all within its response area. Even parts of the S- and U-Bahn network fall under their protection. The former Tempelhof Airport presents unique challenges.
The Berufsfeuerwache Tempelhof has a long history. It began as a volunteer fire brigade in 1883. In 1910, it became a municipal fire department with a permanent station. A motorized pump was added. This marked a major step forward. The Berufsfeuerwehr Tempelhof was officially founded in 1919.
In 1957, construction started on a new building. It opened in 1958. Senator Theuner handed it over to Oberbranddirektor Dr. Kaufhold. The cost was 1.4 million DM. It was a state-of-the-art facility. The Berufsfeuerwache Tempelhof pioneered a new concept. It was the first in Berlin to use a four-vehicle fire-fighting team. This included a fire engine, a tanker, a ladder truck, and a rescue vehicle.
The old fire station was torn down in 1959. A fire boat was put into service at Tempelhof harbor in 1975. In 1990, the Berufsfeuerwache Tempelhof began supporting the Lichtenrade volunteer fire brigade. They provided a stationed ambulance. A truck with rescue and hose materials was introduced in 1995. A city fire and rescue vehicle followed in 1997.
In 1999, Berlin’s fire department changed its approach. The Berufsfeuerwache Tempelhof handed over care of Lichtenrade to the Marienfelde fire station. A new ambulance was stationed in Mariendorf. In 2000, the Berufsfeuerwache Tempelhof switched to pager-free operations.
The Berufsfeuerwache Tempelhof is more than just engines and hoses. It offers specialized services. These include a compressed air filling system. It refills air tanks for breathing apparatus. It also serves as a storage site. Spare air tanks, hoses, and oil binders are kept here. The Berufsfeuerwache Tempelhof also supports breathing protection training. It houses a mobile training course.
Today, the Berufsfeuerwache Tempelhof remains a crucial part of Berlin’s fire response. The station handles about 17,100 calls each year. It houses a fire engine, a ladder truck and special vehicles. The Berufsfeuerwache Tempelhof also operates a mobile medical unit. The DRK staffs another ambulance at this location. From its early days as a volunteer force to its current role, the Berufsfeuerwache Tempelhof has been dedicated to protecting the city.