The History of the Völs am Schlern Volunteer Fire Department
The Völs am Schlern Volunteer Fire Department looks back on more than 125 years of dedicated service. It was founded on October 27, 1895, in response to a major fire in the village. The department began its service under the leadership of Commander Anton Kompatscher and a courageous team of 32 men.
The department grew steadily, reaching 55 active members by 1913. During the two World Wars, women also stepped in to help when needed. Even in times of hardship, the fire department remained active and reliable.
The post-war years brought significant progress and modernization. In 1956, the first emergency alert siren was installed. A major milestone followed in 1977 with the move into a new fire station. In 2010, the department inaugurated its current state-of-the-art facility. Today, emergency alert systems have evolved from early analog signals to the advanced digital radio technology.
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Our Mission
Our mission is clear: to protect people, animals, property, and the environment within our community. Our responsibilities are diverse, ranging from firefighting and technical rescues at traffic accidents to hazardous material response and recovery operations in difficult terrain.
In 2023, we responded to 86 incidents. To ensure constant readiness, our team completed 46 drills, 30 service evenings, and 17 training courses during the same year. These efforts underline our professionalism and our high training standards.
Our Team
Our force is currently built on 58 active firefighters, both men and women. They are supported by six distinguished former members and six honorary members recognized for their extraordinary dedication.
We are deeply committed to youth development. In our youth fire brigade, 15 young people prepare for active duty through a comprehensive program exceeding 600 hours of training annually. This program fosters enthusiasm for firefighting while laying the foundation for tomorrow's rescuers. Beyond daily operations, joint events further strengthen our team spirit and cohesion.
Our Equipment
To meet the wide range of operational demands, the department maintains a fleet of seven specialized emergency vehicles. These include the off-road personnel transport vehicle MTF-A, the tanker fire engine TLF-A 4000, the modern tank and rescue vehicle TRF-A 2000, the flexible light transport vehicle KTF-A, the transport vehicle with crane TF-K, and our newest addition (2025) - the compact rescue vehicle KRF-A.
Every vehicle is loaded with specific equipment to be prepared for every conceivable emergency.
Our firefighters are protected by modern protective clothing, ranging from heavy breathing apparatus and high-visibility warning gear to representative uniforms.
These assets are housed in our modern fire station, which offers optimal working conditions across several levels. The facility includes seven heated vehicle bays, workshops, storage rooms, an operations center, separate sanitary facilities, and a spacious communal lounge and training room.
Our Leadership
Responsibilities within the fire department are clearly defined. The Committee manages organizational and administrative tasks such as finances, equipment maintenance, and youth programs. Tactical leadership during emergency operations lies exclusively with the specially trained command staff. The highest level of responsibility is held by the Chief Fire Officer, the Deputy Chief, and the Platoon Commander, who serve on both the Committee and the operational command.
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