Double anniversary in Wüstenjerichow: Fire department celebrates 91 years of community!

Double anniversary in Wüstenjerichow: Fire department celebrates 91 years of community!

On June 20, 2025, a celebratory double event took place in Wüstenjerichow, honoring both the 91st anniversary of the fire department and the history of the place. Local mayor Uwe Hoffmann handed over the floor to mayor Doreen Krüger and deputy city fire chief Maik Schulz, who congratulated the guests. Robert Blank from the local fire department welcomed those present, followed by Christopher Marx, who spoke in his speech about the historical development of the fire department and its current challenges.

The first documented mention of Wüstenjerichow dates back to 1285, when the place was recorded as Gargowe. The current name Wüstenjerichow was introduced in 1459. A merger of the Waldrogäsen and Wüstenjerichow estate districts took place in 1928, before the town was renamed Wüstenjerichow in 1964. The community has been part of the city of Möckern since January 1, 2010, after being the smallest independent community in the Jerichower Land district until December 31, 2009. Wüstenjerichow currently has around 100 residents.

Celebration of togetherness

The celebrations were supported by numerous helpers, including members of the local history association, the local council, fellow firefighters and citizens. Organizers positively highlighted the contributions of Nils (drinks), Mario (barbecue), Mila (children's entertainment) and Andre (musical accompaniment). The weather was excellent and created a lively atmosphere among the guests, who celebrated until late.

The Wüstenjerichow fire department, which was founded in 1934, has handled a wide range of operations over the years, including fires and traffic accidents. The founding members such as Friedrich, Paul and Jakob relied on a hand pressure sprayer from 1898 and various clearing devices right from the start. Modern portable pump trailers followed in the 1980s, and a new TSFW was put into service in 1994.

Challenges and developments

The number of deployments by the Wüstenjerichow fire department has increased significantly in recent years from one to over 30 per year. The fire department is supported by surrounding fire departments from Drewitz, Rietzel and Krüssau. Fire department members emphasize that about 80-90% of calls are routine, while the rest are high-intensity calls. The challenges also include flood operations in 2002 and 2013, and the fire brigade is also integrated into the response order for the A2 motorway.

New purchases such as a shallow water suction basket and a battery-operated saber saw, which were made possible through a donation from Allianz (Marcel Steinke), show the continuous development of the weir. Constant exploration, training and adaptation to new operating environments are of great importance. The double anniversary celebration not only highlighted the successes of the past few years, but was also a celebration of gratitude in which long-standing members were honored.

In the context of fire service history, Michael Thissen, editor of the Fire Department Chronicle magazine, emphasizes the relevance of fire service history for current and future work. This online magazine has proven itself as a platform for the exchange of fire service historians since it was founded in 2005 and is the only publication that specifically deals with fire service history. Thissen's goal is to further promote interest in fire department history and would like to see more fire departments set up archive rooms to preserve their history more intensively. This is important not only for current members but also for future generations to understand and appreciate the lessons and experiences of the past.