Young firefighters are thrilled: 235 children compete for the trophy!

Young firefighters are thrilled: 235 children compete for the trophy!

The 33rd youth fire brigade competition took place in the Esslingen district on June 1, 2025, in which 235 participants from 22 youth departments competed against each other. The event was held at the sports facilities in Neuffen and offered not only a competition, but also a platform for young firefighters to demonstrate their skills. Two challenge trophies were awarded to the military groups from Neuffen and Großbettlingen, which underlined the success of these local defense forces.

The participating youth fire departments included Esslingen, Hochdorf, Kirchheim, Kohlberg, Köngen, Neuffen, Ostfildern and Wernau. In addition to the competitions, seven groups of children from the region, aged six and over, also took part outside of the competition, which further encouraged young talent in fire service work. What is particularly noteworthy is that around 100 children completed the “Kinderfunken 1” achievement badge at the same time as the cup competition, which was designed especially for the youngest fire brigade candidates.

Competitions in Baden-Württemberg

As the Competitions Working Group in Baden-Württemberg reports, the competition is organized by experienced fire brigade members who take care of checking the regulations and developing specifications. These measures aim to motivate young people and youth firefighters to take part in competitions. Numerous further competitions are planned for 2025, including in Stuttgart with 15-20 groups on July 5th and in several other cities until the end of the year.

Young people born between 2007 and 2010 are eligible to take part in the performance bracket, with at least one year of membership in the youth fire brigade required. Participants also need a valid membership card, which can be obtained from the German Youth Fire Department in Berlin. The registration deadline and the exact requirements are clearly defined, which makes planning easier for those active.

Achievement badges and new initiatives

The new “Kinderfunken” badge marks a further step in the development of youth firefighting and is intended for children aged 6-10. It offers two levels with playful tasks that are designed without any requirements that build on one another. Access to the competitions is therefore also ensured for the very little ones.

Overall, the success of the youth fire brigade district cup and the large number of planned events show that interest and commitment to the youth fire brigade continue to be great. Interested parents and children can contact their local fire brigade leaders to find out more about taking part in the upcoming competitions and to get to know the valuable work of the youth fire brigades.