Ranks of the fire brigade in Austria

Each fire brigade member in Austria has a rank, depending on the assignment or seniority .

By and large, the ranks are uniform nationwide. Since the fire brigade in Austria is a federal state matter, it is up to the respective state fire brigade association to issue the rank table. A gendering of the ranks has so far only been issued by the Upper Austrian State Fire Brigade Association, which accordingly has a firefighter as well as a firefighter , whereby the abbreviations are only used in their previous form. In Styria there is officially no difference between women and men in terms of ranks. Unofficially, however, numerous fire brigades assign women ranks such as senior fire brigade or fire chief.

Rank badge

Rank loop senior firefighter in a fire brigade in Lower Austria with more clearly recognizable edelweiss than distinctive stars, around 1990

The identification on the uniforms is done either with slip-on loops on the operational clothing and on the service clothing in navy blue, green or sandy brown. The uniform shirts also have loops. The work clothing, which is actually only worn on festive occasions, has collar tabs.

There are also some labels on the fire helmet, but these are not uniformly regulated. Usually red, reflective strips are stuck on for the assigned fire brigade members, silver for batches and gold for the officials.

In the case of the stars, the tradition of the armed forces was adopted and the local alpine edelweiss used as the basis. This origin can be seen even more clearly with the older symbols.

Burgenland

Team ranks	conditions	function
Trial Fireman (PFM)		active service
Fireman (FM)	1. One year fire brigade member (active or young fire brigade), training: TRMA1 2. Active fire brigade member for three years	active service
Chief Fireman (OFM)	Six years member of the fire service, at least three years FM1, training: TRMA2	active service
Chief Fireman (HFM)	six years OFM, training: TRMA2	active service
Batch ranks
Extinguishing Master (LM)	1. Six years HFM, training: TRFA 2. Active fire brigade member for three years, Function for which at least the LM grade is intended, Training: TRFA + function-specific training	active duty, group commander, Administrative attendant (administration, finances), Equipment maintenance (general, respiratory protection, radio), Fire brigade youth worker, other specialist or higher function (provisional)
Chief Fire Officer (OLM)	1. five years of function (like LM) 2. ten years LM (no function), training: like group commander	active duty, group commander, Administrative attendant (administration, finances), Equipment maintenance (general, respiratory protection, radio), Fire brigade youth worker or other specialist
Chief Fire Officer (HLM)	1. five years OLM, ten years function (like LM) 2. Ten years OLM (no function), training: like group commander	like OLM
Fire chief (BM)	four years active fire brigade member, one year LM, position for which at least the rank BM is intended, training: FUE1 + function-specific training	Platoon commander, administrator, equipment master, fire brigade youth leader or section supervisor (respiratory protection, radio)
Chief Fire Officer (OBM)	four years function (like BM)	like BM
Chief Fire Chief (HBM)	four years OBM, eight years function (like BM)	like BM
Officer ranks
Administrator (V)	is no longer awarded	Head of Administrative Service
Fire Inspector (BI)	Education: FUE2, ABIDF + function-specific education	Deputy Commander a fire brigade of classes 1 to 3, platoon commander of a special service or platoon commander, administrator or equipment master of a fire brigade of class 6/1 or 7 (after four years at HBM and twelve years of function)
Head Administrator (OV)	is no longer awarded	Head of the administrative service of a fire brigade of equipment class 7
Chief Fire Inspector (OBI)	Four years active fire brigade member, one year LM, training: FUE2, ABIDF, KDT	Fire brigade commander (of a class 1 to 3 fire brigade) or Fire brigade commander's deputy (a fire brigade of class 4 to 6/1)
Main administrator (HV)	is no longer awarded	District officer for administration
Chief Fire Inspector (HBI)	Five years active fire brigade member, one year OBI, training: FUE2, ABIDF, KDT, FLAG	Fire brigade commander (of a fire brigade of class 4 to 6 / I), deputy fire brigade commander (of a fire brigade of class 7), district officer or state subject area manager
Urban Fire Inspector (SBI)	Five years active fire brigade member, one year OBI, training: ABIDF, HF, FUE3, FLAG	Fire department commander (of a class 7 fire department) or deputy fire department commander of the Eisenstadt city fire department
Section Fire Inspector (ABI)	five years active fire brigade member, one year OBI, Education: ABIDF, FUE3, HF, FLAG	Section fire brigade commander or fire brigade commander of the city fire brigade Rust (also district fire brigade commander for the area of the free city of Rust)
Fire Council (BR)	one year ABI, training: ABIDF, STB2, HF, FLAG	State officer, deputy district fire brigade commander, district fire brigade inspector, fire brigade commander of the city fire brigade Eisenstadt (also district fire brigade commander for the area of the free city of Eisenstadt)
Chief Fire Council (OBR)	one year ABI, training: ABIDF, STB2, HF, FLAG	District Fire Brigade Commander
State Fire Brigade Council (LFR)	one year ABI, training: ABIDF, STB2, HF, FLAG	State fire brigade inspector
State Fire Director Deputy (LBDS)	one year ABI, training: ABIDF, STB2, HF, FLAG	Deputy State Fire Brigade Commander
State Fire Director (LBD)	one year ABI, training: ABIDF, STB2, HF, FLAG	State fire brigade commander
Special ranks
Fire Brigade Doctor (FA)	three years member of the fire brigade, training: university degree in medicine, authorization to practice independently Profession as a doctor, TRMA1, FWARZT	Doctor in the fire service
Fire Brigade Curate (FKR)	member of the fire service for three years Education: University degree in theology or deacon training, empowerment for the exercise of public pastoral care, TRMA1, SVE1, FWKUR	Pastor in the fire service
District Fire Brigade Doctor (BFA)	one year FA, emergency medical diploma Education: TRFA, ASI, FWARZT	District Officer for Medical Affairs
District Fire Brigade Curate (BFKR)	is no longer awarded	District advisor for pastoral care
State Fire Brigade Doctor (LFA)	one year FA, emergency medical diploma Education: FUE1, ASI, FWARZT	Country Officer for Medical Affairs
State Fire Brigade Curate (LFKR)	one year of FKR training: university studies in theology, FUE1, SVE1, FWKUR	State advisor for pastoral care

Carinthia

Team ranks	Seniority	function
Trial Fireman (PFM)		active service
Fireman (FM)	1 year of service + commitment	active service
Chief Fireman (OFM)	6 years of service	active service
Chief Fireman (HFM)	12 years of service	active service
Batch ranks
Extinguishing Master (LM)	at least 3 years of service	Group commander
Chief Fire Officer (OLM)	at least 6 years LM	Group commander
Chief Fire Officer (HLM)	at least 12 years LM	Group commander
Fire chief (BM)	previously at least LM	Platoon commander
Chief Fire Officer (OBM)	at least 6 years BM	Platoon commander
Chief Fire Chief (HBM)	at least 12 years BM	Platoon commander
Administrative ranks
Administrator (V)		Equipment attendant, secretary, cashier, comrade leader
Head Administrator (OV)	at least 6 years V	like administrator
Main administrator (HV)	at least 12 years V	like administrator
Officer ranks
Fire Inspector (BI)		Deputy commander of a company fire brigade, local fire brigade or base fire brigade of rank III
Chief Fire Inspector (OBI)		Commander of a company fire brigade, local fire brigade or base fire brigade of rank III and deputy commander of a base brigade of rank I or II
Chief Fire Inspector (HBI)		Commander of a base fire brigade of rank I or II, community fire brigade commander, deputy section fire brigade commander, state representative
Fire Brigade Doctor (FA)		Doctor in the fire service
Fire Brigade Curate (FKUR)		Clergyman in the fire service
Higher officer ranks
Section Fire Inspector (ABI)		Commander of a section
Fire Council (BR)		Deputy District Fire Brigade Commander
Chief Fire Council (OBR)		District Fire Brigade Commander
Staff officers
State Fire Director Deputy (LBDStv.)		Deputy State Fire Brigade Commander
State Fire Director (LBD)		State fire brigade commander
State Fire Brigade Doctor (LFA)		Doctor in the state fire department
State Fire Brigade Curate (LFKur)		Clergyman in the state fire department

Lower Austria

Assigned fire brigade members	Seniority	function	becomes...
Trial Fireman (PFM)		1 year
Fireman (FM)	1 year of active service or 6 months for former members of the youth fire department	active service
Chief Fireman (OFM)	6 years of active service	active service
Chief Fireman (HFM)	12 years of active service	active service
Extinguishing Master (LM)	18 years of active service	active service
Batches, specialist batches and assistants
Extinguishing Master (LM)		Group commander / platoon commander / instructor / driving master / assistant to the driving master / equipment master / assistant to the equipment master / youth worker	appointed by the fire brigade commander
Chief Fire Officer (OLM)	6 years of use with LM rank	like fire-fighting master	appointed by the fire brigade commander
Chief Fire Officer (HLM)	12 years of use with LM rank	like fire-fighting master	appointed by the fire brigade commander
Fire chief (BM)		Train commander / fire station commander / trainer in the fire brigade / driving master / equipment master	appointed by the fire brigade commander
Chief Fire Officer (OBM)	6 years of use with BM rank	like fire chief	appointed by the fire brigade commander
Chief Fire Chief (HBM)	12 years of use with BM rank	like fire chief	appointed by the fire brigade commander
Commanders' ranks
Fire Inspector (BI)		Deputy Commander / Fire Station Commander	Deputy commander elected by the fire brigade members, fire station commander appointed by the commander
Chief Fire Inspector (OBI)		Commander / Deputy Commander	elected by the fire brigade members
Chief Fire Inspector (HBI)		Subsection Commander / Commander / Deputy Commander	Subsection commander: elected by the fire brigade commanders, commander, deputy: elected by the fire brigade members
Section Fire Inspector (ABI)		Deputy Section Commander / Commander	of fire brigade commanders and deputies elected
Fire Council (BR)		Section Commander	of fire brigade commanders and deputies elected
Fire Council (BR)		District Commander Deputy	of fire brigade commanders and deputies elected
Chief Fire Council (OBR)		District Commander	of fire brigade commanders and deputies elected
State Fire Brigade Council (LFR)		Fire department district representative / committee chairman	elected by district fire chiefs
State Fire Director Deputy (LBDSTV)		Deputy State Fire Brigade Commander	elected by district fire chiefs
State Fire Director (LBD)		State fire brigade commander	elected by district fire chiefs
Administrative ranks
Administrative master (VM)		Deputy head of the administrative service (LdV) / assistant to the LdV	appointed by the fire chief
Head of Administration (OVM)	6 years VM	like administrator	appointed by the fire brigade commander
Head of Administration (HVM)	6 years OVM	like administrator	appointed by the fire brigade commander
Administrator (V)		Head of the Administrative Service (LdV) / Deputy of the LdV / Assistant to the LdV	appointed by the fire brigade commander
Head Administrator (OV)		Head of the Administrative Service (LdV) / Deputy of the LdV	appointed by the fire brigade commander
Main administrator (HV)		Head of the Administrative Service (LdV) / Deputy of the LdV (only at section and district level)
Administrative Inspector (VI)		Head of the administrative service (section) / deputy of the LdV (district)	Appointed by the section or district fire brigade commander
Board of Directors (VR)		Head of Administrative Service (District)	appointed by the district fire department commander
Clerk ranks
Clerk (SB)		Clerk / driving master / assistant to the driving master / witness master / assistant to the witness master	appointed by the fire brigade commander
Section Clerk (ASB)		Section Clerk	appointed by the section fire brigade commander
District Clerk (BSB)		District clerk	appointed by the district fire department commander
Special ranks
Fire Brigade Doctor (FARZT)		Doctor in the fire service	appointed by the state fire brigade commander
Fire brigade lawyer (FJUR)		Lawyer in the fire service	appointed by the state fire brigade commander
Fire Brigade Curate (FKUR)		Clergyman in the fire service	appointed by the state fire brigade commander
Fire Service Technician (FT)		Expert for technical areas of fire fighting	appointed by the state fire brigade commander
District Fire Brigade Doctor (BFARZT)		Doctor in the district fire department	appointed by the state fire brigade commander
State Fire Brigade Doctor (LFARZT)		Doctor in the state fire department	appointed by the state fire brigade commander
State Fire Brigade Curate (LFKUR)		Clergyman in the state fire department	appointed by the state fire brigade commander

Ranks that are elected have a term of office of five years. Elections are made in the months of January to March in the first and sixth years of a decade . The last election took place in 2016. If someone leaves a position prematurely, this position will be re-elected, but will end with the next election. The head of the administrative service as well as the batches and control room of the fire brigade are appointed by the fire brigade commander for the current term of office.

If someone is elected to a position but does not meet the training requirements, they can do so within two years. If a member does not comply, the function expires.

As of the fire-fighting master, the ranks are linked to functions. The ranks below are dependent on seniority . An exception is the fire extinguisher, he can be dependent on seniority (18 years of active service) or function-related. However, promotions are not mandatory.

The different ranks for the same function result for two reasons: First, it depends on the size of the fire brigade (counted on the basis of the members and the vehicles) which ranks the commander, his deputy, the head of the administrative service and subsequently the specialist batches such as driving masters, equipment masters, trainers etc. Second, it depends on the level of training of the respective member which rank he is allowed to hold. Here is an example: A member is appointed driving master. According to the post plan, he is entitled to the rank of "fire chief" in his fire brigade. However, he did not complete the platoon commander training required for the rank. If he has been trained as a group commander, he can be promoted to fire fighting master; if he does not have this either, he is only entitled to the rank of "clerk".

The ranks of the fire brigade commanders and their deputies, as well as the administrators with their deputies from smaller fire departments were brought into line with the larger fire departments in 2007, so that the only lower rank of a commander is the chief fire inspector. In the past they were only fire inspectors and the deputy chief fire chief, the mirrors being framed by a silver cord.

Until the end of the 1990s, fire service technicians differentiated between an HTL engineer as FT-B and a graduate engineer as FT-A. The difference in the mirrors consisted of the basic fabric cloth for FT-B and velvet for FT-A. This difference was hardly visible in reality.

The rank of fire brigade lawyer was introduced in Lower Austria in 2007 and is appointed by the state commander.

Upper Austria

Assigned fire brigade members	requirements	function
Trial firefighter	Acceptance of accession	active service
Firefighter	1 year PFM ( no waiting time when transferring youth from fire fighters ) Basic training in the fire department	active service
Chief firefighter	at least 2 years FM; Basic and radio course	active service
Chief firefighter	at least 2 years OFM; Respiratory protection, machinist or paramedic training or water service 1 course	active service
Batches
Extinguishing supervisor	at least 2 years HFM; Group commanders course	active service
Chief fire officer	at least 3 years LM; LuN or GS or TLF or Techn. 1 course	active service
Chief fire extinguishing supervisor	at least 3 years OLM	active service
Fire chief	at least 3 years HLM; Platoon commanders or technical course 2	active service
Chief Fire Officer	at least 4 years BM; Platoon commander course	last promoted DG (with some fire brigades already rank of an auxiliary body => promotion only if function as deputy group commander or deputy youth worker)
Chief fire supervisor	Age: 18 years, group commanders course	Group commander, youth worker
Administrative ranks
Office administrator	Group commanders' course and specialist course	Equipment attendant, cashier or secretary of a fire brigade
Senior administrator		Auxiliary body of the section fire brigade commander
Principal administrator		Auxiliary body of the district fire brigade commanders
Officers
Fire department doctor
Fire brigade chaplain
Fire service technician- B		Expert in one or more technical branches of the fire service
Fire inspector		Platoon commander, pilot commander
Chief fire inspector	Single fire brigade: Commander Deputy	Multiple fire brigade: 1st platoon commander or 2nd deputy commander.
Chief fire inspector	Single fire brigade: Commander	Multiple fire brigade: Commander Deputy
Senior officers
District fire brigade doctor
District fire brigade chaplain
Fire technician - A		Expert in one or more technical branches of the fire service
Section fire inspector		Multi-class fire brigade: Commander
Fire Council		Section fire department commander
Chief Fire Councilor		District Fire Brigade Commander
Staff officers
State fire brigade doctor
State Fire Brigade Curate
State Fire Director Deputy		Deputy of the state fire commander or state fire brigade inspector
State fire director		State fire brigade commander
Further ranks
Firefighter musician
Chairman of the fire brigade music
Kapellmeister of the fire brigade music

From the main fire chief, the ranks are linked to functions. The ranks below are dependent on seniority. Various fire brigades have decided on special regulations: B. Immediate promotion to fire fighting officer (LM) after completing the group commander course or the introduction of the chief fire officer (OBM) as an auxiliary rank (deputy of a group commander / functionary) Get FM. The prerequisites result in an average promotion of every 2 years. There are other criteria for transportation, such as participation in operations, exercises and events, as well as services for the fire service. The exact regulation is in the service regulations for public fire brigades!

Since the official regulations for the public fire brigade from 2016, there have been female forms in addition to the previous ranks , such as firefighter or fire-fighting officer , whereby the abbreviations are retained. FM is the abbreviation for firefighter and firefighter .

Neutral rank badges, from which no rank can be derived, are worn by members of the fire brigade music . They wear a lyre on the collar tab , while badges of achievement and medals are worn as usual.

Salzburg

Team ranks	Seniority	function
Trial Fireman (PFM)		active service
Fireman (FM)	1 year of service + commitment	active service
Chief Fireman (OFM)	6 years of service	active service
Chief Fireman (HFM)	12 years of service	active service
Extinguishing Master (LM)	18 years of service	active service
Batch ranks
Extinguishing Master (LM)	at least 3 years of service	Group commander
Chief Fire Officer (OLM)	at least 6 years LM	Group commander
Chief Fire Officer (HLM)	at least 12 years LM	Group commander
Senior ranks
Fire chief (BM)	previously at least LM	Platoon commander, firefighting platoon commander for firefighting platoon size 1
Chief Fire Officer (OBM)	at least 6 years BM	Platoon commander, firefighting platoon commander for firefighting platoon size 1
Chief Fire Chief (HBM)	at least 12 years BM	Train commander, fire fighting train commander for fire brigade size 1, local fire brigade commander deputy for fire brigade size 1
Fire Inspector (BI)		Local fire brigade commander of fire brigade size 1, local fire brigade commander deputy of fire brigade size 2, fire brigade commander for fire brigade size 2, senior commander of a motorized fire brigade of fire brigade size 3 or 4
Chief Fire Inspector (OBI)		Local fire brigade commander of a size 2 fire brigade, Deputy local fire brigade commander of a size 3 fire brigade, senior commander of a motorized fire brigade size 4
Chief Fire Inspector (HBI)		Local fire department commander of a size 3 fire department, deputy local fire department commander of a size 4 fire department, deputy local fire department commander of the voluntary fire departments of the state capital Salzburg and the municipalities of Hallein, Zell am See and Saalfelden
Departmental Fire Inspector (ABI)		Commander of a fire brigade size 4
Administrative ranks
Administrator (V)		Driving master, secretary, cashier, kit manager of a fire brigade size 1
Head Administrator (OV)		Driving master, secretary, cashier, kit manager of a fire brigade size 2
Main administrator (HV)		Driving master, secretary, cashier, kit manager of a fire brigade size 3 or 4
Staff ranks
Fire Council (BR)		Section fire brigade commander, deputy district fire brigade commander
Chief Fire Council (OBR)		District Fire Brigade Commander
State Fire Director Deputy (LBD Deputy)		Deputy State Fire Brigade Commander
State Fire Director (LBD)		State fire brigade commander
Special ranks
Fire Brigade Doctor (FA)	Authorization to practice the medical profession independently	Doctor in the fire service
Fire Brigade Curate (FKUR)	Catholic priest or Protestant pastor	Pastor in the fire service
State Fire Brigade Doctor (LFA)	Authorization to practice the medical profession independently	Chief Physician of the State Fire Brigade Association
State Fire Brigade Curate (LFKur)	Catholic priest	Clergyman in the state fire department
Administrative ranks of the state fire brigade association
Administrative Inspector (VI)	Appropriate specialist knowledge and completion of the specified courses	Section-level service usage
Chief Administrative Inspector (OVI)	Like administrative inspector	District level service usage
Chief Administrative Inspector (HVI)	Like administrative inspector	Country level service usage

The fire brigades in the Salzburg area are divided into different fire brigade sizes.

A fire brigade size 1 is a fire brigade with fewer than four extinguishing groups (two fire engines)
A fire brigade size 2 is a fire brigade with at least four extinguishing groups (two extinguishing trains), of which at least two extinguishing groups (one extinguishing train) must be motorized.
A fire brigade size 3 is a fire brigade with at least six extinguishing groups (three extinguishing trains), of which at least four extinguishing groups (two extinguishing trains) must be motorized.
A fire brigade size 4 is a municipality with at least 6,000 inhabitants or a fire brigade set up at the headquarters of a district authority with at least ten extinguishing groups (five extinguishing trains), of which at least eight extinguishing groups (four extinguishing trains) must be motorized.

A fire fighting train size 1 is a separate fire fighting train (Section 3, Paragraph 1, second sentence of the Salzburg Fire Brigade Act) that has fewer than four fire fighting groups (two fire fighting trains)
A fire fighting train size 2 is a separate fire fighting train with at least four fire fighting groups (two fire fighting trains), of which at least two fire fighting groups (one fire fighting train) must be motorized.

Styria

Ranks of fire service	Seniority	function
Trial Fireman (PFM)		active service
Fireman (FM)	1 year of service	active service
Chief Fireman (OFM)	6 years of service	active service
Chief Fireman (HFM)	12 years of service	active service
Extinguishing Master (LM)	18 years of service or group commander	active duty or group commander
Chief Fire Officer (OLM)	6 years of service as group commander	Group commander
Chief Fire Officer (HLM)	12 years of service as group commander	Group commander
Fire chief (BM)	18 years of service as a group commander or platoon commander	Group commander or platoon commander
Chief Fire Officer (OBM)	6 years of service as platoon commander	Platoon commander
Chief Fire Chief (HBM)	12 years of service as platoon commander	Platoon commander
Fire Inspector (BI)	18 years of service as platoon commander	Platoon commander
Chief Fire Inspector (OBI)		Deputy Commander a fire department
Chief Fire Inspector (HBI)		Commander of a fire brigade
Section Fire Inspector (ABI)		Commander of a section or a KHD standby
Fire Council (BR)		Deputy of the area fire brigade commanders
Chief Fire Council (OBR)		Area Fire Brigade Commander
State Fire Brigade Council (LFR)		Area fire department commander in the state fire department
State Fire Director Deputy (LBDS)		Deputy State Fire Brigade Commander
State Fire Director (LBD)		State fire brigade commander
Administrative service ranks
Fire extinguishing manager of the administration (LM dV)		Representative for a subject area of the administration of a fire brigade
Chief Fire Officer of the Administration (OLM dV)	6 years of service as LM dV	Representative for a subject area of the administration of a fire brigade
Main extinguishing supervisor of the administration (HLM dV)	6 years of service as OLM dV	Representative for a subject area of the administration of a fire brigade
Fire chief of the administration (BM dV)	At local fire service level: 6 years of service as HLM dV	Representative for a subject area of the administration of a fire brigade or the area fire brigade association
Chief Fire Chief of Administration (OBM dV)	6 years of service as BM dV	Representative for a subject area of the administration of a fire brigade or the area fire brigade association
Chief Fire Chief of Administration (HBM dV)	6 years of service OBM dV	Representative for a subject area of the administration of a fire brigade or the area fire brigade association
Fire inspector of the administration (BI dV)	6 years of service as HBM dV	Representative for a subject area of the administration of a fire brigade or the area fire brigade association
Chief Fire Inspector of the Administration (OBI dV)	6 years of service as BI dV	Representative for a subject area of the administration of a fire department association
Chief Fire Inspector of the Administration (HBI dV)	6 years of service as OBI dV	Representative for a subject area of the administration of a fire department association
Section fire inspector of the administration (ABI dV)		State representative for a subject area of administration
Administration Fire Council (BR dV)	6 years of service as ABI dV	State representative for a subject area of administration
Ranks of the specialist service
Fire extinguishing master of the specialist service (LM dF)		Representative for a subject area of a fire brigade
Chief fire officer of the specialist service (OLM dF)	6 years of service as LM dF	Representative for a subject area of a fire brigade
Chief fire extinguishing supervisor of the specialist service (HLM dF)	6 years of service as OLM dF	Representative for a subject area of a fire brigade
Fire chief of the technical service (BM dF)	At the local fire service level: 6 years of service as HLM dF	Representative for a subject area of a fire brigade or the area fire brigade association
Chief Fire Officer of the Technical Service (OBM dF)	6 years of service as BM dF	Representative for a subject area of a fire brigade or the area fire brigade association
Main fire chief of the specialist service (HBM dF)	6 years of service as OBM dF	Representative for a subject area of a fire brigade or the area fire brigade association
Fire inspector of the specialist service (BI dF)	6 years of service as HBM dF	Representative for a subject area of a fire brigade or the area fire brigade association
Chief fire inspector of the specialist service (OBI dF)	6 years of service as BI dF	Representative for a subject area of a fire department association
Main fire inspector of the specialist service (HBI dF)	6 years of service as OBI dF	Representative for a subject area of a fire department association
Section fire inspector of the specialist service (ABI dF)	6 years of service as HBI dF	Representative for a subject area of a regional fire service association or the state fire service association
Fire Council of the Specialist Service (BR dF)	6 years of service as ABI dF	State representative for a subject area of administration or deputy representative of the company fire brigade in the state fire brigade committee
Chief Fire Councilor of the Technical Service (OBR dF)		Seconded representative of the company fire brigade in the state fire brigade committee
Ranks of the medical service
Fire extinguisher of the medical service (LM dS)		Officer for the medical service of a fire brigade
Chief Fire Officer of the Medical Service (OLM dS)	6 years of service as LM dS	Officer for the medical service of a fire brigade
Chief fire officer of the medical service (HLM dS)	6 years of service as OLM dS	Officer for the medical service of a fire brigade
Fire chief of the medical service (BM dS)	At local fire service level: 6 years of service as HLM dS	Representative for the medical service of a fire brigade or the area fire brigade association
Chief Fire Officer of the Medical Service (OBM dS)	6 years of service as BM dS	Representative for the medical service of a fire brigade or the area fire brigade association
Chief fire officer of the medical service (HBM dS)	6 years of service OBM dS	Representative for the medical service of a fire brigade or the area fire brigade association
Fire inspector of the medical service (BI dS)	6 years of service as HBM dS	Representative for the medical service of a fire brigade or the area fire brigade association
Chief Fire Inspector of the Medical Service (OBI dS)	6 years of service as BI dS	Representative for the medical service of a fire department association
Main fire inspector of the medical service (HBI dS)	6 years of service as OBI dS	Representative for the medical service of a fire department association
Section fire inspector of the medical service (ABI dS)	6 years of service as HBI dS	Representative for the medical service of a regional fire brigade association or the state fire brigade association
Fire Council of the Medical Service (BR dS)	6 years of service as ABI dS	State representative for the medical service
Fire brigade doctor (FA) or fire brigade veterinarian (FVET)		Doctor or veterinarian in the fire service
Area Fire Brigade Doctor (BFA) or Area Fire Brigade Veterinarian (BFVET)		Area fire department doctor or area fire department veterinarian
State Fire Brigade Doctor (LFA) or State Fire Brigade Veterinarian (LFVET)		State fire brigade doctor or state fire brigade veterinarian
Ranks of pastoral service
Fire Brigade Curate (FKUR)		Pastor in the fire service
Area Fire Brigade Curate (BFKUR)		Area representative for pastoral care
State Fire Brigade Curate (LFKUR)		State representative for pastoral care

Representatives for a subject area of administration can be: secretary, cashier, IT officer, press officer, officer for law and officer for fire service history and documentation.

Representatives for a subject area of the specialist service can be: respiratory and body protection, training, radio, equipment and machine foremen, youth, radiation protection, water service, senior citizens and sport.

Those responsible for the medical service can be: fire brigade doctor, pharmacist, psychologist, veterinarian and medical officer.

The ranks up to the main fire chief can be bordered with a twisted silver cord if the commander's examination has been passed. The ranks OBI and HBI are only to be framed with a twisted gold cord if the commander's examination has been passed; the grade ABI only if at least one management seminar of the ÖBFV according to guideline A-09 has been completed; the ranks from BR to LFR only if at least three of these leadership seminars have been completed. This also applies to the administrative, specialist and medical services. The ranks FKUR, BFKUR and LFKUR can only be framed with a twisted gold cord if the commander's examination has been passed.

The ranks of the state fire brigade association differ by the Styrian state coat of arms on the upper edge, the color depends on the respective department affiliation; the conditions for promotion and appointment are set out in a separate guideline.

The Graz professional fire brigade has completely different ranks.

Tyrol

Team ranks	Seniority	function
Trial Fireman (PFM)		active service
Fireman (FM)	1 year of service + commitment	active service
Chief Fireman (OFM)	6 years of service	active service
Chief Fireman (HFM)	12 years of service	active service
Batch ranks
Extinguishing Master (LM)	at least 3 years of service	Group commander / equipment attendant / chief machinist or representative at local level (representatives must exercise the function for at least 5 years in order to retain their rank)
Chief Fire Officer (OLM)	at least 6 years LM	Group commander / equipment attendant or chief machinist
Chief Fire Officer (HLM)	at least 12 years LM	Group commander / equipment attendant or chief machinist
Fire chief (BM)	previously at least LM	Platoon commander or district commissioner (district commissioner must exercise the function for at least 5 years in order to retain their rank)
Chief Fire Officer (OBM)	at least 6 years BM	Platoon commander
Chief Fire Chief (HBM)	at least 12 years BM	Platoon commander
Administrative ranks
Administrator (V)		Treasurer or secretary of a fire brigade whose commander has the rank "OBI"
Administrator (V)		Treasurer or secretary of a fire brigade whose commander has the rank "HBI"
Head Administrator (OV)		Treasurer or secretary of a fire brigade whose commander has the rank of "OBI" and has successfully completed the basic course and administrator course
Main administrator (HV)		Treasurer or secretary of a fire brigade, whose commander has the grade "HBI" and a positive completion of the basic course and administrator course
District Administrator (BV)		Treasurer or Secretary of the District Fire Brigade Association
Officer ranks
Fire Inspector (BI)		Fire Brigade Commander Deputy or Head of Department of the State Fire Brigade Association (Head of Department must have held the position for at least 5 years in order to retain the rank)
Chief Fire Inspector (OBI)		Commander of a volunteer fire brigade or deputy commander of a volunteer fire brigade whose fire brigade commanders are entitled to the rank of chief fire inspector according to the post plan
Chief Fire Inspector (HBI)		Fire brigade commander of a volunteer fire brigade with at least six groups with devices (three trains), of which at least four groups (two trains) are motorized
Fire Brigade Doctor (FARZT)		Doctor in the fire service
Fire Brigade Curate (FKUR)		Clergyman in the fire service
Fire Service Technician (FT)		Clerk in one or more technical branches of the fire department in the district or state fire department association
Higher officer ranks
Section Fire Inspector (ABI)		Commander of a section
Fire Council (BR)		Deputy District Fire Brigade Commander
Chief Fire Council (OBR)		District Fire Brigade Commander
Staff officer ranks
State Fire Director Deputy (LBDSTV)		Deputy State Fire Brigade Commander
State Fire Director (LBD)		State fire brigade commander
State Fire Brigade Doctor (LFARZT)		Doctor in the state fire department
State Fire Brigade Curate (LFKUR)		Clergyman in the state fire department
Fire service inspector ranks
District Fire Brigade Inspector (BFI)		District Fire Brigade Inspector
State Fire Brigade Inspector (LFI)		State fire brigade inspector

Vorarlberg

Assigned fire brigade members	Seniority	function
Trial Fireman (PFM)		active service
Fireman (FM)	1 year	active service
Chief Fireman (OFM)	6 years	active service
Chief Fireman (HFM)	12 years	active service
Batches
Extinguishing Master (LM)		Deputy group commander
Chief Fire Officer (OLM)		Group commander
higher ranks
Fire chief (BM)		Platoon commander / deputy commander OF <40 members
Chief Fire Officer (OBM)		Deputy Commander / Commander <40 members
Chief Fire Chief (HBM)		commander
Section Fire Brigade Commander (AFK)		Commander within a section
District Representative (BV)		Representatives of the fire brigades of the district at the state fire brigade association
District Fire Brigade Inspector (BFI)		Commander within a district
Association Chairman Deputy		Representatives of the Vorarlberg fire brigades at the state fire brigade association
State Fire Brigade Inspector (LFI)		Commander of all fire brigades in Vorarlberg Chairman of the State Fire Brigade Association
State Fire Brigade Curate (LFKUR)		Clergyman in the regional association

There are no administrative ranks in Vorarlberg. Commanders also wear a gold shoulder bar on their dress uniform.

As of the fire-fighting master, the ranks are linked to functions. The ranks below are dependent on seniority.

Vienna (company fire brigades)

Fire department level	Seniority	function
Trial Fireman (PFM)	When joining the BTF	Assigned fire department member
Fireman (FM)	Possible within one year	Assigned fire department member
Chief Fireman (OFM)	6 years of service	Assigned fire department member
Chief Fireman (HFM)	12 years of service	Assigned fire department member
Extinguishing Master (LM)	18 years of service	Assigned fire department member
Batch level
Extinguishing Master (LM)		Group commander of the BTFkat. II, III and IV, trainer, ATS clerk, driver and equipment master
Chief Fire Officer (OLM)	6 years in a service use	Group commander of the BTFkat. II, III and IV, trainer, ATS clerk, driver and equipment master
Chief Fire Officer (HLM)	12 years in one service use	Group commander of the BTFkat. II, III and IV, trainer, ATS clerk, driver and equipment master
Fire chief (BM)		Platoon commander or platoon commander of the BTFkat .: III and IV, KDT STv. the BTFkat. I, trainer, driver and equipment master
Chief Fire Officer (OBM)	6 years in a service use	Platoon commander or platoon commander of the BTFkat .: III and IV, commander of the BTFkat. I, KDT Deputy of the BTFkat. II, trainer, driver and equipment master
Chief Fire Chief (HBM)	12 years in one service use	Platoon commander or platoon commander of the BTFkat .: III and IV, KDT STv. the BTFkat. I, trainer, driver and equipment master
Administrative level
Fire extinguishing master of the administration (LMV)		Head of d. Administration of BTFkat .: III and IV (without GKDT course)
Administrator (V)		Head of Administration The BTFkat .: III
Head Administrator (OV)		Head of Administration of BTFkat .: IV
Administrative Inspector (VI)		Deputy Head of Administration, Treasurer of the State Fire Brigade Association
Board of Directors (VR)		Head of Administration of the State Fire Brigade Association
State Fire Brigade Curate		Clergyman in the state fire brigade association
Command level
Fire Inspector (BI)		Commander of the BTFkat .: II, Commander Deputy. the BTFkat .: III
Chief Fire Inspector (OBI)		Commander of the BTFkat .: III, Deputy Commander of the BTFkat IV
Chief Fire Inspector (HBI)		Commander of the BTFkat. IV
State fire brigade association level
Section Fire Inspector (ABI)		Headmaster LFV of BTF Vienna
Fire Council (BR)		Head of school, head of training, head of department LFV of BTF Vienna
Chief Fire Council (OBR)		Commander Deputy LFV of BTF Vienna
State Fire Director Deputy (LBDS)		Commander of the LFV of the BTF Vienna
State Fire Director (LBD)		Fire Director v. Vienna, state fire brigade commander

Ranks of the youth fire brigade

In some federal states, there is also the rank of youth firefighter (JFM) for young firefighters . Depending on the progress made in youth training, the rank is shown by so-called "test strips" on the slip-on loop of the work clothing. After passing the knowledge test in gold, an early promotion to a firefighter is planned, the rank of test firefighter can be skipped in this case.

Rank	education	function
Youth Fire Brigade Member (JFM)	Knowledge test in bronze	active member of the youth fire department
Youth Fire Brigade Member (JFM)	Knowledge test in silver	active member of the youth fire department
Youth Fire Brigade Member (JFM)	Knowledge test in gold	active member of the youth fire department
Youth Fire Brigade Member (JFM)	Knowledge test in gold	Group commander of the youth fire brigade

Austrian Federal Fire Brigade Association

In addition to the state structures, the department heads, the heads of department, the president and the three vice-presidents of the ÖBFV as well as the staff in the general secretariat and the ÖBFV Medien GmbH have their own distinctions.

Rank	Federal association management	Term of office	function
Fire chief (BM)	full-time employee of a department	only for full-time employees in the ÖBFV	Employee VwGr. III
Chief Fire Officer (OBM)	full-time employee of a department	only for full-time employees in the ÖBFV	Employee VwGr. III (after 6 years)
Chief Fire Chief (HBM)	full-time employee of a department	only for full-time employees in the ÖBFV	Employee VwGr. III (after 12 years)
Fire Inspector (BI)	clerk	only for full-time employees in the ÖBFV	Employee VwGr. IV
Chief Fire Inspector (OBI)	clerk	only for full-time employees in the ÖBFV	Employee VwGr. IV (after 6 years)
Chief Fire Inspector (HBI)	clerk	only for full-time employees in the ÖBFV	Employee VwGr. IV (after 12 years)
Section Fire Inspector (ABI)	Head of department or clerk	only for full-time employees in the ÖBFV	Employee VwGr. IV (after 18 years) Employee VwGr. V
Fire Council (BR)	Head of department (voluntary) or Head of department (full-time) or Managing Director of Medien GmbH	Head of department appointed by the FPrs for the duration of a term of office or until recall	Head of a subject area in the ÖBFV Head of department after 6 years Managing Director of ÖBFV Medien GmbH
Chief Fire Council (OBR)	Deputy Head of Unit (honorary) or Head of department (full-time) or Managing Director of Medien GmbH od. Secretary General (full-time)	Deputy Head of Unit appointed by the FPrass for the duration of a term of office or until recall	Deputy Head of Unit Head of department after 12 years Managing Director of ÖBFV Medien GmbH (after 6 years) Secretary General, if not an academic
Federal Fire Brigade Council (BFR)	Head of Unit (honorary) or Secretary General (full-time)	Head of department appointed by the FPr for the duration of a term of office or until recall	Head of Unit Secretary general if academics
Fire Brigade Vice President (FVPres)	Vice President of the ÖBFV	elected for 5 years by the Bundesfeuerwehrtag	Deputy Chairman of the Association
Fire Brigade President (FPres)	President of the ÖBFV	elected for 5 years by the Bundesfeuerwehrtag	Association chairman

history

The first uniform ranks in all fire brigades, the Austrian half of Austria-Hungary , have existed since 1892. They were decided at the 5th fire brigade day in Teplitz . It was one of the first resolutions of the Standing Austrian Fire Brigade Committee , the predecessor of the Federal Fire Brigade Association .

literature

Christian K. Fastl: Lower Austria Fire Brigade Studies, Volume 10: Development of rank and uniform badges for Lower Austrian fire brigades , 2013

Web links

Commons : Firefighters rank insignia of Austria - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Ranks in Carinthia under "Special" → "Ranks"
Ranks and uniforms for volunteer fire brigades and company fire departments Service instruction 3.6.2 - Issue 1/17 in Lower Austria (PDF file) - (current issue of 1/2018 not publicly available)
Ranks in the Vorarlberg fire department at the Silbertal fire department
Ranks in the Tyrolean fire service
Ranks of the fire brigade in RegiowikiAT

Individual evidence

↑ Service regulations for the public fire brigades of the OÖLFV from January 1, 2016, accessed on September 16, 2017
↑ Example: Team of the FF Murau accessed on September 25, 2017
↑ 1.4.2. Appointment and Promotion Guidelines (01/2014 in pdf). LFV Burgenland, January 1, 2014, accessed on September 9, 2019 .
↑ Regulations for the public fire services. (pdf) Upper Austria. State Fire Brigade Association, January 1, 2016, accessed on November 7, 2019 .
↑ Service regulations of the Upper Austrian fire brigades
↑ Service regulations for the public fire services of the OÖLFV from January 1, 2016, accessed on September 3, 2017
↑ Hanns Gilbert Müller: Feuerwehrmusik alla Turca , p. 213 in the conference proceedings of the CTIF from 2009 in Přibyslav , accessed online on September 25, 2017
↑ Salzburg Fire Brigade Regulations
↑ Service regulations of the Styrian Fire Brigade Association, Section 16
↑ Uniform guideline of the State Fire Brigade Association of Styria, § 5 ranks and rank badges
↑ Uniform guideline of the State Fire Brigade Association of Styria, Section 5, Paragraph 8
^ Ranks of the Graz professional fire brigade
^ Austrian Federal Fire Brigade Association: Rank table for functions in the ÖBFV. In: Rank table. ÖBFV Medien GmbH, May 24, 2018, accessed on December 28, 2018 (German).

[1] Service regulations for the public fire brigades of the OÖLFV from January 1, 2016, accessed on September 16, 2017

[2] Example: Team of the FF Murau accessed on September 25, 2017

[3] 1.4.2. Appointment and Promotion Guidelines (01/2014 in pdf). LFV Burgenland, January 1, 2014, accessed on September 9, 2019 .

[4] Regulations for the public fire services. (pdf) Upper Austria. State Fire Brigade Association, January 1, 2016, accessed on November 7, 2019 .

[5] Service regulations of the Upper Austrian fire brigades

[6] Service regulations for the public fire services of the OÖLFV from January 1, 2016, accessed on September 3, 2017

[7] Hanns Gilbert Müller: Feuerwehrmusik alla Turca , p. 213 in the conference proceedings of the CTIF from 2009 in Přibyslav , accessed online on September 25, 2017

[fwordnungsalzburg-8] Salzburg Fire Brigade Regulations

[9] Service regulations of the Styrian Fire Brigade Association, Section 16

[10] Uniform guideline of the State Fire Brigade Association of Styria, § 5 ranks and rank badges

[11] Uniform guideline of the State Fire Brigade Association of Styria, Section 5, Paragraph 8

[12] Ranks of the Graz professional fire brigade

[13] Austrian Federal Fire Brigade Association: Rank table for functions in the ÖBFV. In: Rank table. ÖBFV Medien GmbH, May 24, 2018, accessed on December 28, 2018 (German).