Hasten Fire Brigade Festival – Unit 16

Hasten – a Remscheid district with its own character

Hasten belongs to the city of Remscheid, an independent city in the Bergisches Land region in southwestern North Rhine-Westphalia. With around 7,000 inhabitants, Hasten is one of the larger districts of Remscheid. Like many districts in the Bergisches Land, Hasten has a strong network of clubs and associations – a shooting club, sports clubs, a marching band, and, of course, the Volunteer Fire Brigade with its Unit 16. The fire station on Oberhützer Straße has been the brigade's meeting point for decades; once a year, a big celebration is held here.

What to expect at the Fire Brigade Festival

The festival follows a fixed, two-day schedule – Friday for adults, Saturday as a family day with an evening program.

Friday – DJ Party

• 7:00 PM – Admission at the fire station
• 8:00 PM – DJ party with barbecue and drinks in the outdoor area
• Socializing among Hasten residents and neighbors

Saturday – Fire Brigade You Can Touch

• 3:00 PM – Start of the family program
• Vehicle Show – Unit 16 showcases its operational vehicles
• Fire Safety Education – Workshops for children on fire and smoke prevention
• Spritzhaus (Water House) – Children can "extinguish" a model house with a fire hose
• Bouncy Castle for the little ones
• Children's Fire Brigade – Demonstrations and hands-on activities
• Fire Engine Rides – Children can ride in an operational fire engine
• 8:00 PM – Transition to the DJ party

Remscheid Volunteer Fire Brigade – Unit 16

Unit 16 is one of several units of the Remscheid Volunteer Fire Brigade. It is responsible for fire protection and technical assistance in the Hasten district and surrounding areas. The brigade consists of volunteer citizens who are available for operations after their regular jobs. The fire brigade festival is not only about preserving tradition but also an important pillar for recruiting new members: children and young people get a first impression of the fire brigade's work on family day.

Remscheid and the Bergisches Land Fire Brigade Festival Phenomenon

In the Bergisches Land region, the fire brigade festival is a unique festival culture – almost every district has a brigade, and almost every brigade celebrates once a year. These festivals foster identity: they combine tradition (vehicle show, parade), community (sausages, beer, DJ), and public service (fire safety education, children's fire brigade). The Hasten festival is a classic example of this genre.