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Germany’s Youth Fire Brigades Hit Record Membership in 2025

Opening programs to younger children has expanded the pipeline for volunteer fire services.

Overview

  • Germany’s youth fire brigades counted 380,441 members in 2025, a record reported by the national youth fire service.
  • Baden-Württemberg logged an all-time high of 40,136 participants, with girls now making up 23.2% of members.
  • Children's groups nearly quadrupled in five years to 105,687, with some starting at about six years old.
  • Local funding keeps costs low, with week-long camps reported for under €100.
  • Volunteer fire services face rising demand, with Baden-Württemberg reporting the most fire incidents in 30 years.