German Fire Brigade Museum

The DMF was a crowd puller from the very beginning and was already expanded by a 1,600 m² exhibition area in 1988. The operator is the Deutsches Feuerwehr-Museum Fulda e. V. In order to allow visitors with physical disabilities and children an unobstructed view of the large exhibits in the exhibition, they were embedded in the floor and framed.

Exhibition in Hall 1

More than 400,000 years ago, early humans learned to use and control fire. Only the mastery of fire enabled mankind to develop further. The exhibits in Hall 1 show the first fire protection measures in the early Middle Ages and span the range to the equipment used by the fire department at the end of the First World War. Hall 1 also contains the world's only preserved and mobile hand-operated fire engine. It dates back to 1624 and is considered the showpiece of the exhibition. The sprayer worked according to the pumping systems known at the time and was operated by hand. Its range was manageably short and was soon replaced by more powerful systems.

Intermediate building

The intermediate building in the DMF is primarily dedicated to the progress of firefighting technology in the period after World War 1 up to modern times. The exhibits, presented with attention to detail, are explained in detail. The entire exhibition in the intermediate building is also aimed at young visitors. Children of school age and older learn about the interrelationships and processes of the fire department. Embedded in the exhibition, exhibits from the areas of music and uniforming provide an insight into life as a firefighter.

Exhibition in Hall 2

The theme of the fire department during the Nazi era is given a special forum in Hall 2. Jews were forbidden to work in the fire department. After the end of the war and the beginning of the economic miracle, the development of firefighting technology picked up again. Now, the emphasis was once again on visually appealing vehicles and equipment. The implementation of the German disaster control system resulted in special vehicles, of which three large vehicles are on display.

Special exhibits

Some exhibits are the last of their kind in the world. Left in their original condition or lovingly restored, the exhibits delight visitors. One of the exhibits is the oldest horse-drawn turntable ladder. It dates back to 1808 and is considered a unique specimen. Car fire engines from the 1920s and a working steam engine from 1903 round off the successful exhibition.