© dpa
A school in Berlin is collaborating with the fire department to offer a regular class called "Rescue and Protect."
© dpa
A Berlin school is collaborating with the fire department on a new regular school subject called "Rescue and Protect."
© dpa
A school in Berlin is collaborating with the fire department to offer a regular class called "Rescue and Protect."
The students in Berlin-Neukölln listen intently and with interest: the topic is respiratory protection equipment, hoses, water tanks, foam, and protective clothing for firefighters on duty.
Employees of the Berlin Fire Department explain their work to small groups of schoolchildren. What makes this special is that the demonstration is part of a new school subject called "Rescue and Protect," which can be taken as an optional elective course.
The Alfred Nobel School in the Britz district in southeast Berlin introduced the subject this school year for 9th and then 10th grade students. It is a unique project in Germany. It originated from the "Kiezgespräche" (neighborhood talks) project, in which the fire department has been seeking closer contact with young people in socially disadvantaged areas since 2023—also to prevent riots and attacks on New Year's Eve. "I think it's great to be able to help people instead of panicking when something bad happens," said 12-year-old student Lisa My Trinh, who is participating in the demonstration lesson as a member of the school's medical service. "There are many situations where you can help, and every life is important."
Fourteen-year-old Colin, the only boy among a group of girls taking the elective course, listened as a young firefighter explained how hydraulic cutters are used to cut open cars after accidents. Colin said he might want to work for the fire department later on, as he finds the profession interesting. The school subject is a good opportunity to get to know the work. The school lessons are designed to combine theory and practice. Teachers and firefighters work together, and traditional school grades are also given. The Alfred Nobel School is a secondary school with a very good reputation. Some lessons are bilingual in German and Italian. The school has been recognized as an excellent school for career orientation and offers an elective course in aviation, for example.
Education Senator Katharina Günther-Wünsch (CDU) and Interior Senator Iris Spranger (SPD) are enthusiastic about the new project. "This kind of teaching promotes mutual understanding and respect," said Günther-Wünsch. This is not unimportant in view of the riots in some neighborhoods on New Year's Eve. "And as the daughter of a police officer, I am happy to see uniforms in a school," she said with a smile to the numerous firefighters present that morning. "We are teaching lessons that are in tune with the times." Fire Chief Karsten Homrighausen emphasized: "We have high hopes for this. We want to show who we are and what we do." If this results in job applications, so much the better. "Spread the word," he called out to the students. "For us, this is the coolest job in the world."