Stay calm! Saving lives always takes priority over fighting the fire!

1. Report the fire

Call 911 or activate the fire alarm!

2. Get people to safety

• Help people who are at risk or in need of assistance
• Close doors
• Follow the marked escape routes
• Do not use elevators
• Follow instructions

3. Attempt to extinguish the fire

Use a fire extinguisher, fire hose/wall hydrant, or other firefighting equipment.

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 of July 4, 1974:

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

Exceptions are possible if the plant parts in question are non-recyclable, such as root systems, and no reasonable disposal method is available for them. Exceptions
are also possible if the plants are infested with diseases.

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

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

The fire department will only intervene 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 the tree population 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 a permit for pruning outside of building permit procedures is issued by the Parks and Environment Office 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 under nature conservation and species protection laws.

As a general rule, the fire department only intervenes when there is a danger to people. Otherwise, this is primarily a task to be carried out by specialized private companies (e.g., beekeepers).

Fire department intervention may be considered, for example, in cases of existing insect venom allergies or at children’s playgrounds.

You can find more information 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
• There are also warning apps like NINA or KATWARN, 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.

Fire extinguishers can generally only be purchased from specialty retailers. The same applies to the maintenance of fire extinguishers.

If you find any objects that might be explosive ordnance (bombs, grenades, or other ammunition), please notify the fire department or police immediately.

To avoid endangering yourself or others, please keep a safe distance from the object!