147 members

The “strongest” fire department in the entire country

The Mattersburg municipal fire department has 147 members, including Mayor Claudia Schlager.(Bild: Christoph Miehl)

The Mattersburg municipal fire department has more members than any other brigade - including a prominent female firefighter.

When commander Thomas Dienbauer calls his entire team together, he needs one thing above all: plenty of space. The Mattersburg municipal fire department currently has 147 members, 105 of whom are active - more than any other brigade in the whole of Burgenland. Getting so many people to volunteer doesn't happen overnight. "We have a number of events in the town, but we also actively approach people and ask if they would like to join the fire department," says Dienbauer.

"Late-comers" are very welcome
We are also present in schools and kindergartens, introducing children to the fire department. "Late-comers" are just as welcome. Like Manuel Haider, who has been with the team for two years now, has completed many courses and is now an equipment attendant. "Many people believe that they have to give 200 percent when they join the fire department. But that's not true. Everyone puts in as much time as they can - even if it's just helping out at the festivals. That already helps us," says the commander.

The S 4 is one of the fire department's main areas of operation(Bild: FF Mattersburg)

Mayor as a "firefighter"
Town mayor Claudia Schlager is also among the members. She is one of two female mayors in the country who are involved in a fire department. She currently holds the rank of "firefighter". "As mayor, you are also the boss of the fire department. When you're there yourself, you get a completely different view of the work that is done here. You can see how many hours are invested," says Schlager.

Fire department runs in the family
Her involvement is not entirely coincidental. Her father was already in the fire department, and her niece and nephew are also members. And Dienbauer is her brother. But there is no preferential treatment. "I don't want that either. I help out at the festivals just as much as I help clear up," says Schlager. And politics has no place in the fire department anyway.