The next generation of firefighters

"A droite, alignement!" Nine youth firefighters line up at the end of the rescue station in Lintgen. To their right is an obstacle course with a tunnel, water trench, pumps, balancing beams and a scaffold on which they will tie knots. As quickly as possible, the ten to 15-year-olds have to stand back in formation on the other side in front of the hall, having along the way laid out four hoses, extinguished two "fires", tied four knots and sorted four pieces of equipment. "Let's go!" Hose couplings clink, orders are shouted. "Go! Go! Go!" It's their fifth and final attempt today – 62 seconds. "No mistakes, good! But that won't be enough in the Czech Republic, " says youth leader Désirée Thilgen. The International Youth Fire Brigade Competition (CTIF) will take place there in four months' time. "You know we want to reach 40 seconds, " youth leader Thilgen reminds the assembled team. That would be seven seconds better than in Italy in 2024.

At a time when many youth clubs are struggling to recruit new recruits, the number of youth firefighters in Lintgen has risen from two to 22 in about four years. This happened mainly due to word of mouth, say Hugo and Basti, two of the oldest of the Lintgen youth: "We talked to our friends and they talked to their friends. It suddenly happened all by itself." They distributed flyers at school and represented the fire brigade at the "Zesumme Fit" event organised by the municipality. Interest grew quickly and today the next generation of firefighters seems to have, slowly but surely, come together.