Could you envision a group of ordinary citizens suddenly transforming into skilled firefighters? That is the story of the Freiwillige Feuerwehr Kaulsdorf. It is a story of dedication. It is a story of community. Here we are at the Freiwillige Feuerwehr Kaulsdorf.
The Freiwillige Feuerwehr Kaulsdorf is more than just a fire station. It is a vital part of the Kaulsdorf community. The station has a rich history. Its members are deeply committed to protecting the area.
Let’s step back to October 18, 1907. The Freiwillige Feuerwehr Kaulsdorf was founded then. Wilhelm Graß a local station agent was a key founder. In the beginning, the team had 22 members. They were mostly local craftsmen. Their first fire station was a simple shed. It was located on the village green near the church. They used a hand-operated pump. Horses pulled it. It carried six firefighters and a hose reel.
By 1908, the little shed was too small. A new fire station was built next to the school on Schulstraße now Waplitzer Straße. This new building had a tower. In 1910, the fire alarm system changed. Instead of the church bells, they used loud horns.
In 1919, the Freiwillige Feuerwehr Kaulsdorf asked the town for help buying uniforms. The town agreed. In 1920, they acquired a mechanical ladder.
In the 1920s, Berlin became one big city. The fire departments lost their independence. They became part of the Berliner Feuerwehr. The city managed their administration, equipment, and training. By the late 1920s, many fire call boxes had telephones. Sirens replaced the old horns in areas without phone lines.
To improve fire response in Kaulsdorf-Süd, a second team formed in May 1926. They set up a sub-station at the Jägerheim Inn on Jägerstraße. Also in 1926, the Freiwillige Feuerwehr Kaulsdorf got its first motorized fire engine. It was a Mercedes Benz. It could carry ten firefighters. However, it had an open top.
The Freiwillige Feuerwehr Kaulsdorf celebrated its 25th anniversary in 1932. There was a parade.
In 1933, the Nazi party took power. Fire departments became part of the police. The Berliner Feuerwehr was called the Feuerlöschpolizei Berlin. Firefighting units were created. The Freiwillige Feuerwehr Kaulsdorf became a half-unit. Uniforms changed in 1934. Firefighters wore standard uniforms and steel helmets. In late 1935, the Kaulsdorf-Süd sub-station closed.
World War II brought destruction. In May 1945, Germany surrendered. The fire station on Schulstraße was damaged. The wooden tower burned down. It was never rebuilt.
After the war, Berlin rebuilt its fire services. Alfred Handtke became the Freiwillige Feuerwehr Kaulsdorf’s chief in 1945. The team faced many challenges. In the late 1940s, they got a KzS 8 vehicle nicknamed “Katze”. In 1948, Karl Birk took over as fire chief.
In 1949, East Germany was founded. In 1951, the professional fire brigades joined the Volkspolizei. The volunteer fire departments remained with local councils. It was hard to find volunteers for training then.
The Freiwillige Feuerwehr Kaulsdorf received a Mercedes Benz fire engine in 1954. It had a closed cabin. This provided better safety for the crew. Helmut Kleemann became the new fire chief in 1955.
In October 1957, the Freiwillige Feuerwehr Kaulsdorf celebrated its 50th anniversary. There was a parade and a celebration at the Gesellschaftshaus Inn. Wilhelm Graß a founder was a guest of honor.
In the early 1960s, the Freiwillige Feuerwehr Kaulsdorf got a Garant K 30 LF 8 fire engine. Heinz Lau became fire chief in 1961.
By 1963, the old fire station on Waplitzer Straße was too small. A new station began construction on Mäjewalder Weg 21-23. It had living quarters. In 1965, the new Freiwillige Feuerwehr Kaulsdorf station opened. The old station became a workshop for the school. In time, it was rebuilt. It was eventually torn down in 2005/2006. Today, houses stand there.
The Freiwillige Feuerwehr Kaulsdorf has been protecting Berlin for over a century. It began with a basic shed. It grew into a modern fire station. The members have always been dedicated volunteers. They are ready to respond to emergencies. They give Kaulsdorf a safer community.
Today, the Freiwillige Feuerwehr Kaulsdorf continues to serve. It has a team of dedicated firefighters. They respond to hundreds of calls each year. The team also works with the community. It has a youth fire brigade. This teaches young people about fire safety. The Freiwillige Feuerwehr Kaulsdorf also hosts public events. One such event is the annual open house. The Berliner Sparkasse supports the Feuerwehr.
The Freiwillige Feuerwehr Kaulsdorf is always looking for new members. If you are interested in joining, you are welcome to attend a training session. They meet every Monday at 7 PM.