Johanna Albersmann

That’s why I’m involved

I want to make my contribution to society and give something back. As over 90 per cent of firefighters here are volunteers, you become part of something much bigger: as a member of the emergency services family, you help ensure the basic safety of the public. Through the great camaraderie, training and drills, you grow into this fulfilling role and find your own place within it.

What I enjoy most

Even though it’s exhausting and you reach your limits, the feeling you get when you’ve successfully completed a task, a drill or, in particular, an emergency call-out, is indescribable and deeply fulfilling. At that moment, the heavy protective gear, the aching muscles or the late hour don’t matter, because – you were able to help.

This is what my work looks like

The fire service’s tasks are: rescue, extinguish, recover, protect. The more experience and training you gain, the more responsibility you take on during operations. Everything is involved, from cordoning off the incident site and actively rescuing people to acting as a team leader. For example, I’m allowed to work whilst wearing breathing apparatus, but I’m not yet authorised to make decisions on behalf of others.