Peuerbach becomes fire brigade capital with 20,000 active members and visitors

Preparations are now in the final stages for the state fire brigade competition with 1200 active and 700 youth groups, which will take place this year on July 5th and 6th in Peuerbach and Steegen. “We are expecting 15,000 participants and around 5000 visitors,” says Wolfgang Eder, commander of the Peuerbach fire brigade, who is leading the organisation team together with Rudolf Auer (FF Steegen) and section commander Karl Lindenbauer. The state competition is the second largest sporting event in Upper Austria after the Linz Marathon. “There is nothing comparable in the German-speaking world,” emphasises Eder. Around 1200 helpers will be on duty for the major event, including 400 judges and 150 guides.

Logistical challenge

The five Peuerbach and three Steegen fire departments have been preparing for two years. “Back then, we looked at the competition in St. Peter am Wimberg and then defined who would take on which tasks,” says Eder. The scale is a challenge, such as producing 20,000 meals, for example having 1.5 tons of chips ready and tens of thousands of liters of drinks.

“We have the advantage of having professional chefs in our fire departments who work in old people’s homes or hospitals and have experience, even if not with such huge quantities,” says Eder. Purchases are made as regionally as possible from local bakers, butchers and the brewery, who deliver supplies every few hours.

Three hectares of parking space are available to accommodate the large crowds, and the campsites have space for around 1,000 groups and around 1,000 fire brigade members.

The competition is divided into two parts. The fire attack, in which the aim is to set up a fire hose in the shortest possible time, takes place on the sports field, and a relay race is also held to determine the fastest.

Favorites also from the district

The Grieskirchen district fire brigade commander Herbert Ablinger also believes that fire brigades from the district have a good chance of competing at the top of the competition. “Our two best groups are Weeg and Stillfüssing, and other groups can also compete in the top ranks.”

The last group to run will be the Obererleinsbach fire brigade, which has been taking part in the major event for 40 years, including the mayor of Steegen, Herbert Lehner (60).

Anniversary badge for all

By the way, all participants are guaranteed a badge this year because it is the 60th competition and anniversary badges are being awarded to everyone.

A large number of political celebrities have announced their attendance at the major event, led by Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, who will attend the opening on Friday. His wife Doris Schmidauer is known to come from Peuerbach. On Saturday, the top figures of Upper Austrian politics will be coming, led by Governor Thomas Stelzer and State Secretary Claudia Plakolm.

Further information at www.landesbewerbe2024.at