Fire Brigade Family Day at Diepeschrath Mill

Bergisch Gladbach — Fire Brigade and Family

Bergisch Gladbach, with around 112,000 inhabitants, is the largest city in the Rheinisch-Bergischer Kreis and thus also home to a large fire brigade organization — a professional fire brigade, several volunteer fire brigades in the districts, a youth fire brigade, supplemented by THW (Technisches Hilfswerk - Federal Agency for Technical Relief) and DLRG (Deutsche Lebens-Rettungs-Gesellschaft - German Life Saving Association). Together, they ensure #EINSATZFÜRGL — the Bergisch Gladbach slogan for the emergency services. Once every few years, this entire emergency response landscape presents itself to the public with a large Family Day — and in 2026, it's time again after a break of several years.

Diepeschrath Mill — Recreation with History

The venue is the Diepeschrath Mill (address Diepeschrath 2, 51469 Bergisch Gladbach) in the Paffrath district in the north of Bergisch Gladbach. The former watermill on the Strunde stream is now a recreational area with hiking trails, a playground, and a restaurant. The spacious outdoor area offers ample space for vehicle exhibitions, demonstration drills, and stands — ideal for a family day with a large turnout.

The Program — from Demonstration Drills to Cake Stand

The program spans from "Experience" to "Participate" to "Enjoy":

• Demonstration Drills — Live demonstrations by the professional and volunteer fire brigades of realistic emergency scenarios (traffic accident, fire, technical assistance). Worth seeing for all age groups.
• Vehicle Exhibition — Turntable ladder, fire engine, rescue vehicle, swap loader vehicles, personnel carriers — everything to look at and (for children) to climb into.
• Youth Fire Brigade Land — Hands-on area specifically for children, where small "operations" are simulated under guidance — water jets, knot tying, hose games.
• THW Stand — The THW presents its recovery and rescue technology (cut-off saws, lifting equipment, pumps).
• DLRG Stand — The life savers demonstrate first aid techniques, lifeguard equipment, ice and water rescue equipment.
• ADFC Bicycle Workshop — The General German Bicycle Club offers free safety checks and minor repairs.
• Catering — Barbecue (sausages, steaks), cake stand (homemade), drinks (non-alcoholic and beer).

Free and Accessible Admission

Admission is free, and the site is accessible. Visitors can find parking at the Kombibad Paffrath (a few minutes' walk away); at the event site itself, there are only spaces for emergency vehicles and for holders of disabled parking permits. Recommendation: come by bicycle or on foot, or use public transport to Paffrath.

#EINSATZFÜRGL — Meeting the Helpers

What makes the Family Day special is the opportunity to meet the people behind the emergency vehicles. Professional firefighters, volunteer helpers from the volunteer fire brigade, THW helpers, and DLRG lifeguards are available all day for discussions — about their work, their training, and how to become a member of an emergency organization yourself. For children and young people, this is often the first step towards joining the youth fire brigade later on.

Bergisch Gladbach and Surroundings

For those combining the day with a walk: Several hiking trails lead from the Diepeschrath Mill site into the Strundetal valley, the Mutzbachtal valley, or to the Saaler Mühlenpark. The nearby Bensberg Castle park is also worth a detour.