Citizen information

Keep calm! Saving lives always takes priority over firefighting!

It is not necessary to register a campfire with the fire department.

However, if you are concerned that your fire could alert the fire department, it would be a good idea to inform the fire department control center (06131/12-4580) about the fire in advance.

According to the state ordinance on the incineration of plant waste outside waste disposal facilities dated July 4, 1974, the following applies:

Plant waste must always be recycled. This also applies to quantities of less than 3 m³. Incineration is only permitted in exceptional cases and in accordance with the provisions of the state ordinance.

Exceptions are possible in the case of non-recyclable plant parts such as root systems, for which no reasonable disposal is possible. Exceptions
are also possible if the plants are diseased.

If you wish to incinerate plant waste, you must register in advance. 

Further information and the form for registering the incineration of plant waste can be found here. (opens in a new tab)

The fire department will only take action if the tree poses an immediate danger.

In Mainz, trees with a circumference of 80 cm or more and a trunk height of 100 cm or more are subject to the legal ordinance for the protection of trees within the city of Mainz. You must therefore apply for a permit for these trees in accordance with the legal ordinance.

A felling permit (opens in a new tab) or permit for pruning outside of building permit procedures is issued by the Parks and Environment Department of the state capital of Mainz.

When dealing with bees, wasps, bumblebees, or hornets, it is always important to consider the aspects of nature conservation and the preservation of life. Some species are threatened with extinction and are protected by nature conservation and species protection laws.

As a general rule, the fire department only takes action if there is a danger to humans. Otherwise, this is initially a task to be carried out by specialist private companies (e.g., beekeepers).

The fire department may be called upon to act in cases of existing insect venom allergies or at children's playgrounds, for example.

Further information can be found here (opens in a new tab).

There are now numerous warning systems and mechanisms, many of which issue alerts automatically:

• Sirens in urban areas
• Alerts on the radio and television
• Display boards and billboards in urban areas
• Cell phone notifications via cell broadcast (opens in a new tab)

There are also warning apps like NINA (opens in a new tab) or KATWARN (opens in a new tab), which must be installed separately on your cell phone.

You can join the volunteer fire department in your area at any time as an active or supporting member.

For more information, please visit the Mainz Volunteer Fire Departments website..

The costs of a fire department operation are difficult to quantify, as they depend on the type and scope of the personnel and vehicles deployed.