140 years of Windisch-Minihof fire department: holiday joy and memories!

140 years of Windisch-Minihof fire department: holiday joy and memories!

On September 15, 2025, the time had come: the Windisch-Minihof volunteer fire department celebrated its 140th anniversary with a festive anniversary. In wonderful weather, numerous guests of honor and members of the public gathered to honor this important event. Vice mayor DI Ernst Halb, head of office DI Michael Preininger as well as state parliament member Fabio Halb and mayor Helmut Sampt were among the prominent guests. In his speech, the latter warmly thanked State Governor Hans Peter Doskozil for the financial support of 150,000 euros, which was used to renovate the fire station, which now shines in new splendor and cost over 350,000 euros.

A highlight of the ceremony was the commemoration of the dead at the war memorial, where flowers were laid by Mayor Sampt and Commander OBI Manfred Reindl. The event took place in the cultural hall of the Hirtenfelder inn, where the Minihof-Liebau music association provided the musical accompaniment. Commander Reindl welcomed numerous guests of honor in his speech, including district commander OBR Jochen Illigasch.

Fire service history and tradition

The history of fire departments in Austria, but also worldwide, goes back to Roman times. In the Roman Empire, as early as 21 BC. The first fire department was founded in the 1st century BC, which consisted of 600 slaves. Since then, firefighting technology has developed enormously over the centuries, from hand-operated syringes in the Middle Ages to the modern fire engines used today. Voluntary fire brigades, often formed from gymnastics clubs, are a very special feature of fire brigade history in Europe, while the first privately organized professional fire brigades appeared in the USA in particular from the middle of the 19th century. The first German volunteer fire department as we understand it today was founded in Meißen in 1841, while the Vienna professional fire department is considered the oldest of its kind in the world.

In Burgenland, more than 18,000 volunteer fire brigade members make a significant contribution to efficient fire protection. In his speech, state parliament member Fabio Halb emphasized the high value of volunteer work within the fire department and society.

Festivities and support activities

On the day before the anniversary, a wet competition took place at the Jost Mill, which kicked off the celebrations. The official part of the ceremony ended with the joint playing of the national anthem. Visitors of all ages were able to fortify themselves at a culinary buffet with regional delicacies and a wine bar, and a large bouncy castle was waiting for the younger guests at the fire station.

At the same time, the Jennersdorf city fire department organized a morning pint, which was also very well received in the great weather. Numerous supporters and representatives of the fire department were present. City priest Canon Franz Brei and deacon Willi Brunner provided spiritual support, while the Jennersdorf city band provided musical entertainment.

The solidarity and joy of the fire brigade's tradition were clear at both events. OBI Manfred Reindl finally thanked the helpers for their commitment and concluded with the honorable sentence: “To God’s glory, to our neighbor’s defense.”

To find out more about the history of fire departments, we recommend the article by Wikipedia as well as detailed information from nö122.at.