The year 2023 is a very special one for the Planegg volunteer fire brigade: it will be 150 years old this year, making it the oldest fire brigade in the Würmtal. Commander Martin Heizer, chairman Josef Reithmeier and Mathias Singer, responsible for public relations, together with Planegg’s mayor Hermann Nafziger (CSU), presented a festival program that was spread throughout the year.
A chronicle is currently being worked on, but sponsors are still being sought so that the circulation can be so high that every household in Planegger and Martinsried can receive a copy free of charge, as Commander Heizer said. According to him, there are still relics from days gone by, for example documents from the 19th century. A wooden ladder will also be presented, dating from the beginning of the 20th century.
The Planegger fire brigade is traditionally well positioned: it has no problems with young people, “also because we always have a strong youth group,” as Heizer said. Of the approximately 150 members, 100 are available for assignments. The fire brigade in Planegg is still a male domain, only 17 of those active are women. With the exception of a few technicians, all of them work entirely on a voluntary basis.
Heizer and Reithmeier praised the “great understanding” that firefighters experience from their employers, because after all, according to the Fire Service Act, the firefighters must be released for use should the worst come to the worst. Last year it was “a few days in a row”, for example when help was provided after the flood disaster in Rhineland-Palatinate.
For the public there is an action day, a party and a sheepshead race
The kick-off event for the year of celebrations will take place on March 11 in the Kupferhaus, but only invited guests can take part in the evening. The public will then be involved three months later, on June 17, in a “day of action” on the open-air site of the Kupferhaus. The people of Planegg can admire the firefighters during all kinds of activities. Heizer announced that “something special” was planned. On July 9, the three new fire engines will be inaugurated at an ecumenical festival service in St. Elisabeth, and there will also be a white sausage breakfast on the market square. On July 22, you can dance at a party evening in the Kupferhaus with the Oktoberfest band “Blechblosn”. At the beginning of carnival on November 11th, the traditional Schafkopf race of the fire brigade takes place – for the first time in public. A drawing competition for children is also planned. The best pictures will be shown in an exhibition in the town hall.
According to Heizer, the festivities have been planned for five years. The fire brigade calculated the costs at around 35,000 euros. They are to be raised largely through donations and sponsoring. A deficit for the fire brigade will “under no circumstances exist”, promised Mayor Nafziger.