Amtsfeuerwehrtag Kropp-Stapelholm

The Amt Kropp-Stapelholm — One Administrative Unit, Many Brigades

The Amt Kropp-Stapelholm is located in the southern district of Schleswig-Flensburg and comprises about two dozen municipalities between the Eider, Treene, and the Stapelholmer Geest. In this classic North German, rural region, the volunteer fire brigades are the backbone of fire protection and emergency services, run by volunteers. They perform tasks that professional fire brigades handle in large cities — and are financed by tax revenues from the municipalities, supported by the commitment of local residents.

The Amtsfeuerwehrtag as a Showcase

Once a year, the Amtsfeuerwehrtag brings together all the brigades of the Amt. It's a mix of competition, open house, and a fire brigade ball. During the day, the brigades compete in sporting disciplines — hose laying, pump operation, obstacle course, rescue exercises. The youth fire brigade competitions are particularly closely watched, serving as recruitment for the next generation.

2024 in Erfde: Grand Parade

Recent history shows what characterizes the event. In 2024, the municipality of Erfde was the host — on August 24, the competitions took place on the sports field, followed by a large parade through the municipality. Brigades from across the Amt marched in uniform with their vehicles through the village, accompanied by marching bands and onlookers along the route. It's a scene that gives a face not only to fire protection but also to the village community spirit.

2026: Alt Bennebek Takes Over

For 2026, the Amtsfeuerwehrtag will be hosted in Alt Bennebek on August 29, 2026, according to the event calendar of the municipality of Bergenhusen. The brigades rotate hosting duties in turn — each municipality takes on the role of host once. This strengthens identification with the respective brigade and ensures the event is spread widely across the entire Amt.

Day Program and Evening Program

The program follows a classic pattern: competitions in the morning, a communal meal at noon, demonstrations and open house in the afternoon, an awards ceremony in the evening with honors for long-serving brigade members, followed by a fire brigade ball with dance music. The ball is an important social element: contacts are made between the brigades, and the solidarity is nurtured that counts in real emergencies.

A Festival of Volunteerism

Anyone participating in the Amtsfeuerwehrtag — as a guest or as a brigade member — gets an insight into the importance of the volunteer fire brigade in rural Schleswig-Holstein. It is a tradition that makes volunteerism visible and aims to inspire future generations to get involved.