Sweaty but satisfied, Verena Pfaffinger leaves the relay race area in Steegen. “The time was good. We made one mistake, but my God,” says the firefighter from the FF Ibm (municipality of Eggelsberg). She and nine colleagues have just completed the bronze round, and silver is next. “We are motivated for the second round,” says Pfaffinger.
She is one of around 15,000 firefighters who will be taking part in the Upper Austrian fire brigades’ performance competition in Peuerbach and Steegen on Friday and Saturday – all participants are guaranteed to receive performance badges for the 60th anniversary of the competition. They will show off all their skills in the firefighting attack and relay race – to the cheers of family, friends and acquaintances. Up to 5,000 spectators are expected. “Half of my relatives are here, it’s really a lot of fun. I’m pleased that so many people have come,” says Stefanie Rupertsberger from St. Willibald, who looks after one of the more than 200 youth groups.
“Atmosphere is great”
Doris Schmidauer was born in Peuerbach – she and her husband, Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, paid tribute to the firefighters in their opening speech: “Thank you for putting so much heart and soul into it, using your knowledge and passing it on,” said the head of state. The guests of honor also included several members of the state parliament and the entire management level of the Upper Austrian Fire Brigade Association.
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Photo: Hermann Kollinger
Source: Nachrichten
