Fanfare – Firefighter Matzels placed fourth in the State Fire Brigade Performance Competition

Years of intense training for the competing group of Matzels Fire Brigade paid off at the state fire service’s performance competitions in Leubersdorf on Saturday. With 464.14 points – one less than the winning combination from FF Scheideldorf – Matzleser achieved historic success. Never before – at least in the past four decades – has a competing group from the Waidhoven region placed so well in the state fire service’s performance competition – and this is in the more demanding silver category without age points.

The start of FF Matzles’ competition was by no means good. After a bad run in the Bronze category with no age points, the group members hung their heads. “At that point we felt like the state competition was over for us. But then I said, ‘Guys, cheer up, let’s try silver now,’” says leader Gregor Strumayer. He succeeded in motivating the group and urging them to perform better. Milliseconds were determined in the top positions, and performances were close.

When the good news reached the Matzles, it was important to set up a good reception for the successful competition group as quickly as possible. Natalie Stromeyer and Katherine Hinterhoeger prepared a welcome sign on Sunday morning and a champagne reception was set up at the fire station. City Councilor of the Fire Brigade Eduard Heiss (ÖVP) was brought to the Matzles by the music festival, and the second president of the Landtag, Gottfried Waldhäusl (FPÖ) also took the opportunity to personally congratulate the Matzlesers.

“In football, one might say you’ve now reached the Champions League,” said Waldhausel. “I know what it’s like when you’re close, but you always miss the last bit of luck to get to the top. Now you’re on top and in the silver too. That’s just the beginning, now you know it’s possible to be on top.”

Hard work in detail with video analysis during training

Visibly moved, Commander Gregor Strömeyer thanked his team for making this success possible. “These were difficult years, in which we also trained during the winter, with video analytics to improve grip,” said Strömeyer, explaining the difficult path to success. “Matzels made firefighting history today. His father, Kurt Strömeyer-Dangel, said proudly:

He noted that such milestones as the construction and adaptation of the fire station, the improvement of technical equipment or the acquisition of vehicles were always under the leadership of the former leaders of the fire service, which was founded in 1925. “This success and the centenary of our fire department will be a good reason to start a new fire station,” said Strohmayer- Dangle at the direction of Edward Hayes, the city’s fire department. Because the current house is very old and no longer meets today’s requirements.

City Councilman Edward Hayes brought out a cake

He also congratulated the military on their success and brought a cake. Instead of the correct four, the number three was suitable for decoration. “I was caught by the fake news. At first it was said that Matzels was in third place. So the cake should be an incentive for next year,” Hieß explained.

Thanks to the good placement, the Matzles Fire Brigade has something big in store for next year: It has qualified for the 2024 Federal Fire Brigade Performance Competition in Feldkirch (Vorarlberg).