Feuer & Flamme

A look back at New Year’s Eve: traditionally one of the toughest nights of the year for the Duisburg fire department. The emergency crews prepare for nonstop stress. At around 7 p.m., the first alarm comes in: a fire in an abandoned building. Access is difficult and the situation is unclear. Using ladders, the crews fight their way into the dilapidated structure. For one young colleague, it becomes a baptism of fire. Back at the station at midnight: alcohol-free sparkling wine and a sense of community far away from their families. The start of New Year’s Eve night is calmer than in previous years, but will it stay that way? Also: a rescue service call that gets under your skin. The alert reports severe leg pain, but once on site, the patient’s critical condition becomes clear. It is a call that will stay with the emergency crews for a long time.