1,139 Competition Groups in Zistersdorf: State Fire Brigade Competitions Conclude with Fire Cup

Competitions were held in Bronze and Silver categories. In the Silver without Age Points classification, FF Hürm from the Melk district took the state victory: Silver without Age Points - Hürm 1 (466.10 points). They were followed by Inzersdorf ob der Traisen 2 (464.85 points) and Zwentendorf 1 (464.53 points). The Fire Cup in this category was secured by the competition group of FF Trattenbach from the Neunkirchen district.

Double Victory for the Women from Niederabsdorf

In Bronze without Age Points Women, Niederabsdorf 4 took the lead with 463.01 points. The following places went to Maria Raisenmarkt (462.34 points) and Inzersdorf ob der Traisen 3 (460.42 points). The women's team from Niederabsdorf brought great honor to the Gänserndorf district with its home victories and also won the Women's Fire Cup with 458.58 points.

In the general Bronze without Age Points category, Bischofstetten placed second with 470.64 points, followed by Maria Raisenmarkt with 462.34 points and Inzersdorf ob der Traisen 3 with 460.42 points, meaning this group was represented twice in the top three. The Niederabsdorf women thus won both the state competition and the Fire Cup in their classification.

In the Women's Silver without Age Points competition, Gleichenbach achieved 456.16 points and thus ranked second ahead of Großharras 2 with 450.59 points. The exact point scores show how close the decisions were at the top positions and underscore the high level of performance among the participating groups.

Fire Cup as the Crown Finale

The crowning conclusion was once again provided by the Fire Cup – it was the 28th edition. The Fire Cup is considered an unofficial competition and is traditionally held at the end of the state fire brigade performance competitions. In Bronze without Age Points, it was won by FF Trattenbach from the Neunkirchen district.

State Fire Brigade Commander Dietmar Fahrafellner expressed his conviction about the performances shown and said: "Eure Leistungen waren heuer wieder sensationell. Sehr gute Zeiten beim Löschangriff sprechen für sich." He also thanked the helpers around the Zistersdorf fire brigade as well as the town of Zistersdorf for hosting the major event.

Prominent Guests and Political Recognition

Among the guests of honor was State Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner, who emphasized in a statement: "Ich habe größten Respekt vor euren Leistungen. Ihr zeugt von der Schlagkraft der Feuerwehren in Niederösterreich." Other prominent guests included Deputy Governor Stephan Pernkopf, Second President of the Lower Austrian State Parliament Gottfried Waldhäusl, National Council member Angela Baumgartner, as well as state parliament members Rene Lobner, Rene Zonschits, and Dieter Dorner.

The military side was also represented: Hans-Peter Hohlweg, Commander of the Mistelbach barracks, also attended the event. District Captain Claudia Pfeiler-Blach was present as a representative of the District Fire Brigade Command. Mayor Elmar Schöberl served as host of the town of Zistersdorf.

Operational Readiness Despite the Competition

The host fire brigade Zistersdorf had to respond to three real emergencies during the competitions, while its competition groups simultaneously took on competition and support duties. The Zistersdorf Volunteer Fire Brigade, the Zistersdorf section, the District Fire Brigade Command, and the municipality had jointly handled the organization.

The award ceremony with various celebrations followed on Sunday. The prize-giving lasted around two hours despite the large number of awards to be presented. The record-breaking competition then concluded with social festivities.

Significance for the Fire Brigade Landscape

With the record participation of 1,139 competition groups, the Lower Austrian State Fire Brigade Performance Competitions underlined their status as the largest fire brigade competition in the state. The mix of sporting ambition, camaraderie, and public recognition has made the competition a fixture in the Lower Austrian fire brigade calendar for decades.

The success of the Niederabsdorf women with a double victory in Bronze without Age Points and the Fire Cup underscores the growing role of women in Lower Austrian fire brigade competitions. In Silver without Age Points Women, the level of performance was also remarkable, with Gleichenbach and Großharras 2 in second and third place.

FF Hürm from the Melk district brought another success home to a region outside the host district with their state victory in Silver without Age Points (466.10 points). FF Trattenbach from the Neunkirchen district completed the collection of awards outside the host district with the Fire Cup victory in Bronze without Age Points.