When there's a fire, a tree is lying across a road, a basement has flooded or a person has crashed in a car, the volunteer fire brigade goes out to help. In an emergency, they must not take longer than ten minutes to provide assistance at the scene of a fire or accident.
This means being available on standby, even at night, during festivities or during free time. In the event of an emergency call, everything else must be left behind, even at work.
Only cities with more than 100,000 inhabitants have a professional fire brigade. Most operations in Hesse are carried out by volunteers. Probably our society would collapse, if not everywhere in the country people would be willing to help.
Katrin Rebell (31) is head of operations at the volunteer fire department in Heusenstamm, the first woman in the in a Wehrführung in the district of Offenbach and has been for four years. Also her father, her brother and also her friend Mario extinguish fires and rescue people from great distress.
About 100 women and men aged 18 to 60 years are engaged here voluntarily, 365 days a year. Between 150 and 300 operations a year counts the fire department Heusenstamm. For Katrin Rebell, this commitment is a matter of course: "Firefighting is teamwork. Only together are we able to help people in exceptional situations. We have to be able to rely on each other blindly in order to work well together. It makes me proud to be part of this great squad."
For the campaign "Clothes make the man", the platoon leader slipped out of her heavy, fireproof uniform into a chic costume by tailor Stephan Görner. The campaign is dedicated to people who have unusual or dangerous jobs, who don't usually wear a costume or tailored suit in their workplace, but without whom a city wouldn't function.
First in protective clothing and then in fine threads, they are photographed by photographer Daniel Baldus. Recognition, appreciation and respect for these people and their professions and hobbies are the message of this extraordinary action of the initiators Stephan Görner and Sven Müller, which already takes place in the fifth year and always presents new occupational groups.
"We want to show that there are many citizens who are active in addition to their profession, still honorary. Especially in the voluntary fire brigade, it is important that this honorary office is appreciated and can be exercised in peace," says tailor Stephan Görner. In recent times, it comes again and again to attacks against the paramedics, police or firefighters. "Incomprehensible, how you can disturb or obstruct the helpers in their mission for people in distress," finds Sven Müller.
For Katrin Rebell is still another aspect important: "We wear our uniform yes with pride. And I would like to encourage even more women to swap skirt and trouser suit for heat protection suit and flame protection hood for this exciting hobby."
On Saturday, November 2, 2019, platoon leader Katrin Rebell will not be on call and will not have to drive any missions. On this evening, she will not be in the blue but in the spotlight at the 5th charity gala "Kleider machen Leute", which will take place at the Hotel Kempinski. In her chic paisley costume, a colourful double-breasted velvet suit, she will be presented to the 300 guests from the fields of sport, business, culture and show business and her voluntary work will be honoured. In addition to a VIP fashion show, guests can expect an atmospheric program with entertainer Joe Whitney, dancing, good food and fine wines. The Leberecht Foundation will once again benefit from Frankfurt's fashion gala. In the past four years, 120,000 euros have been collected for children in need and their families. Admission including candlelight dinner, drinks costs 250 euros per guest.
Find more info at: www.kleider-machen-leute.net
