Volunteer Fire Brigade St. Pölten

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The voluntary workers fire brigade St. Pölten was the only voluntary fire brigade in Austria that was also founded for political motivation, but was also banned. It existed from 1923 to 1934. Like the workers ' sports clubs and cooperatives of that time, it is to be seen as part of the workers' movement , which in many areas of society created parallel structures to the existing institutions that were felt to be dominated by the bourgeoisie.

founding

The workers' fire brigade St. Pölten was founded in 1923 in a former war hospital in St. Pölten, the so-called barrack town of Herzogenburgerstrasse , which was inhabited by workers . On the one hand, the 6,000 residents feared the great fire hazard, but also wanted to create a counterpart to the city fire brigade, which was just as voluntary but dominated by the bourgeoisie .

construction

As a “baptism of fire” the workers' fire brigade had to put out a fire in one of the barracks on New Year's Day 1924 , which was triggered by a short circuit.

The fire brigade was included in the Lower Austrian Fire Brigade Association in 1924 . It was also allowed to wear the usual uniforms. A fire engine, a Fiat Torino, and a 20-meter ladder were also purchased this year. The planning for a fire department depot has started. Since the construction could not be financed by the workers, the depot of the city fire brigade was taken over as early as 1927. With this financial relief, the workers' fire brigade was able to buy additional used vehicles.

The workers' fire brigade was divided into the usual local and regional operations. The number of missions moved up to 50 missions per year. According to the records, she had to cope with more distant missions in the supra-local area. There is a report of an operation in Melk , which was canceled due to the distance.

In 1931, the fire station was expanded again with the addition of additional equipment.

Prohibition

As a result of the Austrian civil war against Austrofascism (1934), both the social democratic party SDAP and the organizations belonging to and assigned to it were banned. The workers' fire brigade in St. Pölten was also banned on February 27, 1934. The equipment passed into the possession of the city fire brigade.

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