In St. Andrä

Municipality invests in fire departments despite austerity measures

The new emergency vehicle of the Eitweg fire brigade - one of the nine fire brigades in St. Andrä. From left: Commander Pucher, Mayor Knauder and Markus and Stefan Joham.

(Bild: Evelyn Hronek)

Nine fire departments in St. Andrä need to be upgraded. And this despite the fact that the municipality has to cut back on spending. The Eitweg fire department is about to complete its new headquarters. 

"The fire departments are our protection, our safety. For them, who all volunteer around the clock for operations, there must be what is needed," says Mayor Maria Knauder. Nine fire departments are active in her municipality. "350 active members always give their all," says District Engine Master Kevin Brunner.

New vehicle for municipal fire brigade
Maria Rojach has already received a new vehicle. The Eitweg fire department also needs two new vehicles. The Mercedes Artego, a four-wheel drive fire engine (460,000 euros), has already been delivered. "This vehicle ticks all the boxes. The extinguishing tank holds 1000 liters, and it also has a portable fire pump, three breathing apparatus, lifting bags and a pollutant container," explains firefighter Markus Joham. The second vehicle, a crew transporter, should be ready soon.

We still have a few hours of work ahead of us, but the interior of the fire station will also be ready by spring. We had 39 call-outs last year, compared to up to 80 the year before, due to the storms.

Markus Pucher, Kommandant der Feuerwehr Eitweg

A modern fire station for Eitweg
However, the Eitweg fire brigade's equipment depot also needed to be modernized. The roof was renewed and an extension was built for the vehicles. "We still have a lot to do," says commander Markus Pucher. The armory is still being made blackout-proof, the radio room and operations center are being expanded and the changing area is also being renovated. "Since last year, we have invested 1500 hours of our time in numerous measures. I've been on duty every day," says equipment manager Stefan Joham. 320,000 euros and 10,000 of our own funds are being invested.

Pucher: "But we are close to completion." Incidentally, the 30 active men and five women of the Eitweg fire brigade spent 11,500 hours in action last year.