Giving Youth a Voice 2024: 50 Years of the Austrian Youth Fire Brigades
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Fire youth members from across Austria and South Tyrol tackled various future-oriented topics and presented surprising solutions. During this event, the ceremony "50 Years of Austrian Fire Youth" also took place.
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of organized fire youth work in Austria, a Fire Youth Symposium was held in Salzburg from September 27 to 29.
On September 27, 60 fire youth members from all nine Austrian provinces and South Tyrol gathered for the opening of the first Fire Youth Symposium in the hall of the Salzburg News.
Robert Mayer, President of the Austrian Federal Fire Brigade Association (ÖBFV), thanked the 14 to 16-year-old participants for their willingness to take part and actively shape the future of firefighting. “You are our future, so we ask for your opinions, ideas, and creativity,” said President Mayer.
The highlight of the opening was undoubtedly mental coach Manuel Horeth, who captured the attention of the youth with his themes of relaxation, self-confidence, and motivation. In three exciting experiments, he demonstrated the potential that can be unlocked through mental strength, earning the audience's enthusiastic applause.
Five Groups – Many Ideas
The following day, the youth, divided into five groups, began working on topics like "Transition to Active Duty," "Time Management," "Craftsmanship/Profession and Firefighting," "Recruiting New Members," and "Firefighting and Environmental Protection." By the morning, the significant input from the young members was already apparent.
“The real work for the ÖBFV Youth Committees starts after the symposium because these results must be implemented and not left in a drawer,” said Manfred Eibl, head of the fire youth department at ÖBFV.
Initial Workshop Summary
The symposium concluded with presentations of the group projects, revealing that the youth had much to contribute and were proud to be more involved in decision-making processes. It became clear that some solutions, particularly regarding the transition from youth to active duty, were viewed differently than expected.
“We didn't know how intensely the youth would engage or how well the topics would be received. My expectations were exceeded, especially because the first statements brought new insights and ideas,” said Symposium Leader Markus Wessely.
Grand Ceremony: Fire Youth in Action in Salzburg
The University of Salzburg’s Grand Hall became the stage for the Fire Youth on the evening of September 28, in celebration of 50 years of organized fire youth work in Austria. The young firefighters demonstrated their skills during a firefighting drill, showing that they are well-prepared for future challenges.
The year 1974 marks the birth of organized fire youth work in Austria. Since then, countless generations have worked to motivate young boys—and later girls—to join the Fire Youth.
Today, it is clear that the future of firefighting depends significantly on the work with young recruits. Around 36,000 girls and boys are active in Austria’s volunteer fire brigades. “The work of my predecessors has paid off. The seeds sown over 50 years ago have blossomed into a self-sustaining culture. I am very proud that we have achieved this,” said BFR Manfred Eibl.
Numerous honored guests joined the ceremony, including Federal Minister Karoline Edtstadler, Governor Wilfried Haslauer, and State Secretary Claudia Plakolm. Representatives of the Austrian fire service, such as President Robert Mayer and the three vice presidents, were also present, along with international guests from Germany, Liechtenstein, and South Tyrol.
Federal Minister Karoline Edtstadler remarked, “Fifty percent of Austrians are involved in volunteer work, a source of great pride. The volunteer fire service plays a crucial role in protecting our people and nature. Congratulations to the Fire Youth on 50 years of excellence!”
A Journey from 1974 to 2024
To preserve the development of fire youth work for future generations, a commemorative publication was created, capturing milestones and key points from over 100 pages. Pioneers of fire youth work also took the stage to share their experiences and challenges in establishing youth groups and national competitions.
Fire Youth Week 2025
In 2025, the Fire Youth will focus on biodiversity and environmental sustainability with the "Bee Wild" project during Easter week. Various project materials will be prepared for fire youth leaders to encourage youth engagement with the importance of biodiversity.
The overall theme of the event was collaboration. Fire President Robert Mayer concluded, “This weekend, we not only look back at the history of the Fire Youth but also towards the future, actively involving youth in shaping it. Their enthusiasm and drive show they have a strong voice and important ideas.”
Photos by M. Seyfert/FEUERWEHR.AT) Additional photos are available on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/oebfv/albums/.
For further inquiries, please contact Andreas Rieger.
Best regards,
Andreas Rieger, MA
CCO Austrian Fire Brigade Association
CEO ÖBFV Medien GmbH
FEUERWEHR.AT - Official magazine of the Austrian Fire Brigade Association
