VERBUND and the fire brigade in Upper Austria – a close cooperation

On 26 April 2013, VERBUND, Austria's electricity provider, at the Danube power plant at Aschach, presented the fire brigade commands of the power plant municipalities on the Danube in Upper Austria with protective fire equipment in the value of EUR 230,000. The equipment is especially for the specific operating conditions at the VERBUND power plants of Aschach, Ottensheim-Wilhering, Abwinden-Asten and Wallsee-Mitterkirchen, but will, of course, also benefit the volunteer fire brigade in all other operations.

In the course of the implementation of the project "Improvement of fire prevention and protective equipment" at the nine Danube power plants from Aschach to Vienna,VERBUND, over the past years, has invested 27 million EUR (13.5 million of which went towards the four power plants situated in Upper Austria) in the modernisation of the fire prevention and protection systems of the Danube power plants. This occurred in close cooperation with the provincial fire brigade commands and the local fire brigades.

The different items and devices for the fire brigades in Lower Austria were presented on the day of the awarding and handed over by Michael Amerer, Member of the Managing Board of VERBUND Hydro Power AG, to Wolfgang Kronsteiner, provincial fire prevention director, as representative for the fire brigade commands of the power plant municipalities.

These included gas masks, lifelines, sludge pumps, walkie-talkies, protective clothing, as well as equipment already pre-fitted in the two vehicles of the Wallsee and Luftenberg fire brigades, such as fixtures for gas masks, tubes, emergency power units, light flashes etc. Amongst those present during the handing over to the fire brigade were, in addition to the VERBUND Managing Board and the provincial fire protection director, the fire brigade commanders or their respective deputies of the fire brigades of Aschach, Hartkirchen, Edramsberg, Eferding, Ottensheim-Wilhering, Luftenberg, Langenstein, Mitterkirchen, Hütting, Pürach, Schönering, St. Georgen/Gusen, Landshag, Langacker und Wallsee.

Some selected items were demonstrated, for example, an infrared camera with radio transmission, which will be utilised in Danube power plant of Aschach: an infrared picture of the power plant was projected on the wall with a beamer and radio messages sent. Using a door frame out in the front in the open, a smoke curtain was produced in order to show a mobile smoke blocker. A foam net and high-performance fan were also demonstrated.

Close cooperation between VERBUND and the fire brigade

Michael Amerer, CEO of VERBUND Hydro Power AG: "To us, the subject of fire prevention is paramount. This year, we have invested some 27 million euro in the optimization of our plants with regard to fire prevention and protective equipment. Of special importance to us is the interaction and collaboration with the fire brigades. With our support in terms of equipment, we wish to show our appreciation for the honorary commitment and close collaboration."

For VERBUND, the safety of man and the power plants is of primary importance. This cooperation is a demonstration of VERBUND's commitment towards society.