HistorieFIRE DEPARTMENT USMCA-BREMERHAVEN
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US Army Fire Department
in
Bremerhaven
07. May 1945 - 30. June 1993
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| 51st Highland Division | 29th US. Division |
May 5th 1945, the longed for truce was finlly ratified.
The british troops, including the 51st Highland Division vacated Wesermuende.
The allied forces declared their territorial claims and interests anew and Wesermuende
was declared as US american occupancy.
On the 12th of May, the british forces, surrendered their claim to the 29th division of the american strike forces.
The british troops, including the 51st Highland Division vacated Wesermuende.
The allied forces declared their territorial claims and interests anew and Wesermuende
was declared as US american occupancy.
On the 12th of May, the british forces, surrendered their claim to the 29th division of the american strike forces.
The military command declared a set of performing duties for the German Firefighter`s commanders. The occupying forces lendt highest importance to the political asset of the firefighters ( NSDAP, NSV, SA ). Due to this,beginning with the firefighters being employed from 1931, 26 of them had to be replaced. The cities were counselled to exchange these firefighters immediatetly with new apprentice firefighters.
On the 30th of July 1945,the firefighter`s commander presented
a crew of 89 men to the town`s mayor.
a crew of 89 men to the town`s mayor.
1 commander ( chieftain ), 1 second in commander,
1 Oberbrandmeister, 12 Brandmeister,
72 Wachtmeister, 1 cobbler, 1 secretary.
1 Oberbrandmeister, 12 Brandmeister,
72 Wachtmeister, 1 cobbler, 1 secretary.
| Beginning in 1946 the U.S.Army started to buildt ist own firefighter`s squad with civilians. The took quarter in January 1946,in the nearly untouched offices in the Auestreet. Late in 1953, the armed force gave coomand of the office over to the residing crews. The army volunteered a small truck with trailer and a portable firehose system. In the beginning there were no protective gear or special duty uniforms. Major Sigler was the residing fire-marshal. |
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| A crew of 9 men were pulling 24 hour shifts. | |
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A US Army soldier was as continuing supervisor ordered with the crew. His duties did not include firefighting, but scrunity was too high in the beginning years. Photo: German crew in front of fire-truck in Auestreet. |
The first real fire-fighter`s vehicle originated from the U.S.A. The hoses were laid out in u-shape. The rear stage took up to 6 men. A 600 litres tank completetd the truck.
The personal protective gear constituted itself out an 3/4, thick and waterproofed jacket and the typical american helmet. 4 men occupiep the rerar stage during manouevers.
The second vehicle was a 26m ladder wagon by METZ. In the first years of occupany, the armed forces and the civil firefighters made joined efforts. In the last stage of build-up, the american fire fighters in Bremerhaven employed 70 to 80 men and had 6 vehicles in duty.
The personal protective gear constituted itself out an 3/4, thick and waterproofed jacket and the typical american helmet. 4 men occupiep the rerar stage during manouevers.
The second vehicle was a 26m ladder wagon by METZ. In the first years of occupany, the armed forces and the civil firefighters made joined efforts. In the last stage of build-up, the american fire fighters in Bremerhaven employed 70 to 80 men and had 6 vehicles in duty.
All new employments had to be ratified by the
HEADQUARTERS OFFICE OF MILITARY GOVERNMENTS FOR WESERMÜNDE
The reemployment of a former politically incorrect person was not allowed.
The employed fire fighter`s became special lds to enter the streets of Wesermuende after hours.
HEADQUARTERS OFFICE OF MILITARY GOVERNMENTS FOR WESERMÜNDE
The reemployment of a former politically incorrect person was not allowed.
The employed fire fighter`s became special lds to enter the streets of Wesermuende after hours.
Over the years the hostility and scrunity changed. Especially Commander Donnavan and his predecessor were very open and non-prejudiced. The education of the firefighter`s was centralized in MURNAU ( BAVARIA ). Within six weeks, the chosen personal became honend to the edge.
Finally only the crews in the Carl-Schurz-Casern were left. Till 1973, the american firecrews diminished more and more. The civil firefighters took over in fight regular fire more and more.
The first rationalizing strategies compared personal costs with insurance cases and result was: well, there may be a lot of fire for 20.000 US Dollar a year.
The paramedical trainings were excercised in a joined venture with the Americans originating from the US Army Hospital in Bremerhaven.
All over the years the working with the american offices and organization was very good. The joined ventures in spare time and job helped to arise a good and relaxed relationship bewteen the two forces.
Finally only the crews in the Carl-Schurz-Casern were left. Till 1973, the american firecrews diminished more and more. The civil firefighters took over in fight regular fire more and more.
The first rationalizing strategies compared personal costs with insurance cases and result was: well, there may be a lot of fire for 20.000 US Dollar a year.
The paramedical trainings were excercised in a joined venture with the Americans originating from the US Army Hospital in Bremerhaven.
All over the years the working with the american offices and organization was very good. The joined ventures in spare time and job helped to arise a good and relaxed relationship bewteen the two forces.
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From 1950 till 1967 Mr. Ludwig Bredfeldt was the "Fire-Chief". His second who finally took over, was Heino Kramer till October 1991, being followed by Andreas Bartels Community-Fire-Chief |
The Fire-Preventions-Inspektor was responsible for the whole northern Germany area,
everywhere, where the americans were known to have holdings.
everywhere, where the americans were known to have holdings.
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 Heino Kramer Community-Fire-Chief 1967 - 1991 |
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With the departure of the US americans on June 30th 1993 a whole era of Bremerhaven`s Firefightering History ended. |
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Source: The Red Rooster by Dieter Umbach & Archives Fire-Brigade Bremerhaven |
