The swimming competition is the starting signal for the annual competition season of the youth fire departments. While the fire department's usual competitions usually take place on solid ground, the young firefighters were now confronted with the element of water in a different way.
A competition group consisted of 6 starters, one of whom could not swim. This person had a special task. But first the principle applied: "Let the big ones do it!" The executive city command and the city youth committee had to demonstrate the exercise course on land and in the water. The first laughs were inevitable.
In addition to the swimming performance, technical tasks also had to be mastered, such as transporting a rope through the water or solving a puzzle at the edge of the pool. At the end, the non-swimmer had the task of pulling his or her 5 group members through the 25-metre pool using muscle power. The entire competition is based on teamwork. Firefighting means teamwork.
Due to the large number of participants - over 150 active members of the youth fire department - the Stadtbad now has to be rented in its entirety by the Stadtjugendfeuerwehr. Lord Mayor Frank Klingebiel took over this position. "The youth work of the fire departments is extremely valuable and lays the foundation for social commitment. In the past, many small and large-scale operations in our city, but also beyond the city limits, such as the Ahrtal disaster, have shown that volunteering is essential! I am very proud of our youth fire department, and my special thanks go to all the supervisors of the event," said Klingebiel.
First City Councillor and Head of the Fire Department Eric Neiseke believes that the excellent work of all those involved in the youth fire departments has secured the next generation of Salzgitter firefighters. He sees this competition format as an elementary component of youth work. A continuation is essential and, despite the competition format, it is always great fun for everyone involved, which promotes the community.
At the end of the competition day, first and second place went to the groups of guests from Gotha, while third place went to the joint group from Salzgitter Calbecht and Salzgitter Bad. However, town fire chief Detlev Söhler emphasized that there were only winners on this Sunday. He had rarely experienced such an exuberant atmosphere.
