Storm chaos in Wiener Neustadt: Fire brigade with 18 missions in continuous use!

Storm chaos in Wiener Neustadt: Fire brigade with 18 missions in continuous use!

The Vienna Neustadt volunteer fire brigade had their hands full on Sunday, July 7, 2025. It recorded a total of 18 missions that extended on technical assistance, fire fighting and storm events. The first alarm went on the A2 in the direction of Vienna shortly before 8.30 a.m. when a car blocked the first lane due to a defective tire. With targeted assistance, the fire brigade was able to quickly remove the danger.

In the morning, there was an impressive commitment in a residential building, where a blocked intermediate door blocked access for the emergency services. The emergency services opened the door so that the rescue workers could continue their important work. But that was just the beginning, because in the afternoon the fire brigade moved to a hall fire in Döttelbachgasse. Two fire spots were discovered here, which thanks to the quick intervention could be quickly brought under control with two jet pipes. In order to prevent flame, the area was additionally wetted with water cannons.

storm and thunderstorms bring additional challenges

Around 7 p.m. a storm front moved over Wiener Neustadt and provided many other missions. Trees broke under the storm, branches blocked streets and sidewalks. The fire brigade had to intervene several times to remove the dangerous places: broken branches were shredded and the damaged power lines were removed. The area alarm center on the Babenbergerring was occupied with three dispatchers throughout the missions, which coordinated the incoming reports.

Fire brigade commander Christian Pfeiffer emphasized that extreme weather events appear more and more and praised the well -established processes and the professional work of his volunteer comrades. Nevertheless, he sees the personnel situation as a constant challenge that needs to be mastered.

fire brigades in climate change: recognize challenges

In order to be able to better counter the challenges through extreme weather events, the HFUK Nord launched the online survey "Security and health measures of the fire departments in dealing with extreme weather events" (Sigefex) on March 24, 2025. This survey, which is carried out in cooperation with the DGUV's Institute for Labor and Health (IAG), aims to gain knowledge about the challenges that fire brigades have to cope with in climate change. All management and emergency services of the fire brigades are invited to participate.

The results of the survey are intended to help develop needs -based prevention measures and offers. The focus is on the "sharpening of the hazard awareness" and the "factor human" in order to improve the working conditions and health of the emergency services. Participation in the survey is voluntary, anonymous and takes about 15 minutes. Interested parties can take part in the survey directly via this Link

The current events and the survey make it clear that the topic of extreme weather events is not only of great relevance in Wiener Neustadt, but also affects many firefighters across Austria. It remains to be seen which measures are derived from the survey and how the situation will develop in the coming years.

For current reports on this topic, the Kurier as well as the Feuerwehrverband always a valuable source of information.