Honorable for fire hero Klaus Ortmann: 60 years of use for Dechow!

Honorable for fire hero Klaus Ortmann: 60 years of use for Dechow!

A radiant day for the fire brigade in Northwest Mecklenburg: Klaus Ortmann was honored on June 15, 2025 as part of the District Dailor in Carlow for his outstanding 60 years of membership in the fire brigade. The 81-year-old former military leader of the Dechow fire brigade left many traces in his time. Ortmann was already active in the GDR as a fire protection officer in Gadebusch and later, in the 1990s, helped reconstruction of the fire brigade in his home community Dechow.

In conversation with Silvio Melchin, the current military leader of Dechow, Ortmann's organizational talent was particularly appreciated. "The fire brigade has shaped its commitment," said Melchin. Ortmann also founded the youth fire brigade in Dechow and carried out innovative night hikes. These initiatives were so successful that the youth fire brigade cleared the first prize shortly after it was founded.

special missions and awards

If you think fire brigade is just a job or hobby, you must not forget that there are also bizarre moments. Ortmann's most curious effort was the spectacular rescue of a cat from a cemetery tree. In addition, the experienced firefighter remembers a lengthy effort: the fire of the "Progress" restaurant in Gadebusch, which took two days.

But Ortmann was not the only one who was honored during the Delivery Day in Carlow. Other members of the fire brigade were also honored for their services. Julia Strauch, Marian Scheffel, Stefan Strauch and Ingo Krüger from the Groß Molzahn fire brigade received the fire protection badge in silver, while Philipp Siedenschnur, Toni Schiefner and Robert Penk from the fire brigade Wedendorferee were awarded for 25 years of voluntary work.

Another significant change took place in the Carlow volunteer fire brigade, where Norbert Rieger transferred to the honorary department. Such cycles and honors are not only a sign of recognition, but also strengthen the sense of we within the fire brigade community.

the view of the fire brigade history

Frank Wörner, the head of the fire protection and fire brigade history department, is another important puzzle piece in the fire brigade network. Born in 1969, Wörner has been involved in the volunteer fire brigade for over three decades and has also made a name for himself in the fire brigade history. Together with his deputy Bernd Klaedtke, he campaigned for the research and preservation of the fire brigade history, and this in several committees. This passionate work helps to keep the valuable tradition of fire brigades in Germany alive, as the Feuerwehrverband.de explains.

At the end of such a day of honor it should be noted that the commitment and passion of firefighters like Klaus Ortmann not only enrich life in their immediate environment, but also play a major role in the development and continued existence of fire brigade history. So it is people like Ortmann who have undoubtedly left a lasting impression.