German Fire Brigades: Youth Auxillery (Jugendfeuerwehr) Chronology

Figure 1.--This German image is undated, but it looks like the early 1950s showing that the junior fire auxilleries were still active. I think that this is Rückblicke.

I am not sure when these youth auxileries ( Jugendfeuerwehrwere ) were first formed, but we notice them in the early 20th century. Certainly these groups significantly predate the early 20th century image seen here. In the medieval cities and villages built of wood and thatch there were many fires. So there must have been some kind of organisation to fight against a fire if it occurs. A Geramn reader writes, "We had the "Nachtwaechter" (night watch, fire watch) at night, staying at the top floor of the church tower during night watching for fire etc." We note these groups into the 1950s after World War II (figure 1). The uniforms are not as elabprate as early groups, but they still have helmets. Note that they no longer have spikes. These groups are still very active in Germany.

Historical Origins

I am not sure when these youth auxileries ( Jugendfeuerwehrwere ) were first formed. Certainly these groups significantly predate the early 20th century image seen here. In the medieval cities and villages built of wood and thatch there were many fires. So there must have been some kind of organisation to fight against a fire if it occurs. A Geramn reader writes, "We had the "Nachtwaechter" (night watch, fire watch) at night, staying at the top floor of the church tower during night watching for fire etc."

The 20th Century

We note these groups throughout the 1950s, but there has bee a significant evolution in their uniforms. We note these groups in the early 20th century before World War I. Some of these groups at this time had elaborate uniforms, which seem more for ceremonies than any practical purposes. A German reader writes, "The helmets the boys in 1915 wore looked rather fine, with their embroidered metal ornaments and small pike on them. I wonder what prize the flower in their jacket symbolized". We also note these groups into the 1950s after World War II (figure 1). The uniforms are not as elabprate as early groups, but they still have helmets. Note that they no longer have spikes.

The 21st Century

A German reader tells us that these groups still exist in Germany and are quite popular with some boys. We even note a few girls have joined. One report indicates that in Germany during the early 2000s that there were 251,557 youths in 16,670 youth firebrigades. They can start to train for emergencys at the age of 12. The program is seen as a way of developing future firefighters. The uniforms of todays youth groups are less ceremonial and more practical to protect the owner of accidents and hazards.