Remember the catastrophic fire of 1847. That event led to the establishment of the Freiwillige Feuerwehr Karlsruhe. Today, we stand before a plaque commemorating Die Feuerwache. It symbolizes Karlsruhe’s commitment to fire safety. The story of Die Feuerwache is a testament to the city’s resilience.
In the early 19th century, Karlsruhe, like many cities, struggled with fire protection. Fires were frequent and devastating. Then, on February 28, 1847, disaster struck. A fire erupted at the Hoftheater. It claimed 64 lives. This tragedy underscored the urgent need for an organized fire fighting force.
The fire at the Hoftheater spurred action. Inspired by the well-organized Pompier-Corps of Durlach, citizens began to organize. Just days after the fire, a proposal for a new fire fighting force appeared in the local newspaper. This force was to be modeled after Durlach’s Pompier-Corps. It emphasized the importance of volunteerism.
On March 20, 1847, the “Verein zur Bildung einer freiwilligen Lösch- und Rettungsmannschaft” was founded. This translates to “Association for the Formation of a Voluntary Fire and Rescue Team”. This marked the official birth of the Freiwillige Feuerwehr Karlsruhe. The initial team comprised 362 men. They were citizens and turners. Emil Kessler, a machine factory owner, contributed two new fire engines and 100 workers.
The new Feuerwehr quickly proved its worth. On July 22, a fire broke out in a cellar storing spirits. The Feuerwehr responded with remarkable speed. The Karlsruher Tagblatt praised their swift arrival. Karl Bader, former director of the Polytechnische Hochschule, became the first commander. He focused on training and internal organization.
The Freiwillige Feuerwehr grew. By 1872, a fourth company was established for the rapidly growing Südstadt. Each company had its own fully equipped fire station. By 1876, the Feuerwehr boasted 363 members. In 1859, Karlsruhe hosted the 3rd German Firefighter Day.
In 1907, an attempt to establish a professional fire brigade failed. The Freiwillige Feuerwehr resisted. However, on September 26, 1926, the Hauptfeuerwache on Ritterstrasse was inaugurated. This became the home of the Berufsfeuerwehr. Hermann Billing designed it. Today, it is a protected monument.
During World War II, the Feuerwehr was integrated into the Feuerschutzpolizei. This was in line with the Nazi regime. The force left the city before the French arrived. It returned in May 1945. In 1962, a radiation protection unit was established. This was due to work at the Karlsruhe Nuclear Research Center. On September 5, 1973, the Stadtfeuerwehrverband was founded. It coordinated cooperation between the Freiwillige Feuerwehr and the Berufsfeuerwehr.
Today, the Feuerwehr Karlsruhe consists of the Berufsfeuerwehr and the Freiwillige Feuerwehr. The Berufsfeuerwehr operates from two fire stations. These are the Hauptfeuerwache in Südstadt and Feuerwache West in Mühlburg. The Freiwillige Feuerwehr has 16 departments. It has 650 members. The Jugendfeuerwehr involves 350 young people.
The plaque before us serves as a reminder. It honors the dedication and bravery. It honors those who protect Karlsruhe from fire. From the ashes of the Hoftheater, a legacy of service was born. It continues to this day with Die Feuerwache.