Women's delegates from Lower Saxony convene in Zeven, representing their regions.
In the Rotenburg (Wümme) district, International Women's Day was celebrated with a gathering at the Zeven fire station. This event marked a significant step forward in the inclusion and recognition of female firefighters.
The Rotenburg (Wümme) Fire Department, the county fire department responsible for the organization, provided an overview of the district, one of the largest in Lower Saxony, by Peter Dettmer, the county fire chief.
The upcoming fire regulation in Lower Saxony will bring about changes, including new ranks, even for the youth fire department. A new fire uniform for both male and female firefighters is also set to be published. However, what is still needed is appropriate protective clothing specifically designed for female firefighters to ensure their safety and comfort.
Sabine Schröder, the state women's representative of the Lower Saxony Fire Department Association, reported an increasing number of female leaders in the fire departments. Recognizing the need for guidance, Schröder and the county women's representatives have created an aid offer to address sexual discrimination, violence, and harassment in the fire department. This offer can be individually adapted for each local fire department.
In an effort to support pregnant firefighters, the state women's representative and the county women's representatives plan to develop guidelines for leaders in the fire department regarding 'Pregnancy in the Fire Department.'
The Lower Saxony Fire Department Association is taking various initiatives to empower women in the firefighting community. One such initiative is the creation of a nationwide forum for firefighter women, planned by the deputy state women's representative, Tanja de Freese.
De Freese is also currently working on organizing the nationwide conference for firefighter women, which is planned to take place in East Frisia. The exact date of the conference is not available yet.
In addition to these initiatives, the Lower Saxony Fire Department Association will have a stand at the International Trade Fair for Fire, Rescue, and Disaster Relief, Interschutz, in Hannover next year.
The Lower Saxony Fire Department Association, along with public insurers and the fire department accident insurance, will host 'Firefighters in Motion,' a fitness event for firefighters, from August 1 to 3, 2025, in Winsen, Harburg district.
Various workshops offering technical assistance and self-defense were held, but only for women, to ensure they are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their roles.
Sabine Schröder, a member of the advisory board for psychosocial emergency care, is working towards drafting a unique psychosocial emergency care law for the Ministry of the Interior in Lower Saxony. The fire department accident insurance also provides a standardized leaflet on the topic.
For more information about the Rotenburg (Wümme) Fire Department, visit their official website at https://www.lk-row.de/feuerwehr. The deputy county press spokesman for the Rotenburg (Wümme) Fire Department is Alexander Schröder, who can be contacted at the provided email and phone number.
Stay tuned for more updates and initiatives aimed at empowering women in the firefighting community in Lower Saxony.
