This has never happened before: on Tuesday, October 1, three training classes started at the same time at the Aachen professional fire department - including the completely new level training. The new fire officer candidates and emergency paramedics also started their training and further training. Stefan Wenders, Head of Department for the Fire Service School, the Rescue Service School, the Driving School and the Rescue Service of the City of Aachen, welcomed the 31 new colleagues from the Aachen Fire Service as well as the six experienced employees who are undergoing further training to become emergency paramedics. In addition, some external fire departments from the region are also taking part in the courses.

Wenders and his team of trainers were delighted to welcome numerous guests to the Wache Nord on the Melaten campus. Among others, Theo Görtz, Head of the Teaching Organization Department of the Aachen Chamber of Crafts, was present. The Aachen fire department is working closely with the Chamber of Crafts on the new level training. "We are very pleased that we are taking this new path together in order to find young and motivated people for the firefighting profession, to inspire them and to train them in the best possible way," said Wenders.

In the first stage of the new phased training program for firefighters, an 18-month compact technical training course, the trainees complete theoretical and practical parts of the course in vocational training workshops in the fields of electrical engineering, woodwork, metalwork and plumbing, heating and air conditioning. The timetable also includes general education subjects, sport and an introductory course in fire department operations. This first stage of training is rounded off by four six-week blocks of practical training in craft businesses.

In addition to the training path to become an emergency paramedic, which has been in place since 2020, this offers a second opportunity for school leavers to start their professional career directly with the Aachen fire department. The second stage of training leads to the career examination as a firefighter in the remaining 18 months and corresponds to the familiar path to joining the fire department.

With these new, innovative models - as well as the established training opportunities - the city of Aachen is responding to the shortage of skilled workers, which the fire department is also increasingly feeling. "In our day-to-day operations, we are always on the move as a multifunctional unit. This requires good, broad-based training as a basis. Nowhere else in the area can you get this better than at the Aachen fire department," Wenders is convinced. "My colleagues and I are really looking forward to working with you," he told the young people on their first day of service.

Career opportunities at the Aachen Fire Department can be found online at https://karriere.aachen.de/feuerwehr/.