It’s that time of the year again: From Monday, March 30, firefighting teams from all over the world can once again put themselves forward for the renowned Conrad Dietrich Magirus Award at www.world-of-firefighters.com. In addition to being presented with the Conrad Dietrich Magirus statuette, the winners will be rewarded with a trip to New York to meet their fellow firefighters at the FDNY. “We can’t wait to see which country follows in the footsteps of Italy and Brazil to win this year’s title and we look forward to receiving a lot of entries,” says Antonio Benedetti, CEO of the competition organizer Magirus GmbH.
The company initiated the competition in order to raise public awareness of the many achievements of firefighting teams. “I have met a lot of firefighters and I have been impressed by each and every one of them. The Conrad Dietrich Magirus Award is our way of recognizing their bravery, their courage, and their unquestioning willingness to help others,” says Antonio Benedetti.
The competition is open to firefighting teams from anywhere in the world except for Germany, as a national competition for German teams runs at the same time. Teams can enter at www.world-of-firefighters.com with an incident of their choice, simply by filling out a form and submitting images by October 18. The types of incidents considered are, for example, rescue missions, technical assistance, and, of course, cases of firefighting. Exemplary decisions made out in the field, outstanding teamwork, or innovative and creative strategies will be recognized. The incident being submitted must have occurred after September 30, 2014. The type, size, and setup of the firefighting teams are irrelevant.
The entries will be assessed by a jury of international experts with an understanding of firefighting in numerous countries, who will narrow down the number of entries. The decision-making process is then opened up to everyone, with the winners being selected from among the finalists on the basis of a public global online vote. The three teams with the most votes will be invited to attend the award ceremony held in Germany. This grand event will take place in Ulm, where Magirus has its head office. The finalists’ hotel accommodation and travel costs are included in the prize and the event is sure to provide some exciting and unforgettable moments.
The Brazilian firefighters who won the statuette in 2014 will remember the award ceremony for a long time to come. “Coming together with so many firefighters from all over the world was a fantastic experience. And we were absolutely overwhelmed by all the congratulations we received after we won,” says Igor Liberato Calixto, lieutenant from the second group of military firefighters from the fire department of Rio de Janeiro. The bombeiros received the award for an impressive rescue mission when a heavily used freeway bridge in the heart of Rio de Janeiro collapsed, and are keen to find out who their successors will be.
About the Conrad Dietrich Magirus Award
The Conrad Dietrich Magirus Award was first announced in Germany in 2012 and has been organised on an international level since 2013. The competition is named after an individual who was a pioneer in firefighting and who to this day remains a role model for those in the profession all over the world: Conrad Dietrich Magirus. The fireman from Ulm made it his mission to improve safety in firefighting for himself and his peers. He came up with revolutionary inventions that went on to receive international attention, such as the turntable ladder, also known as the ‘Ulm ladder’. He founded Magirus 150 years ago, and the company follows the same spirit today, focusing on the work of firefighters and giving these professionals special recognition with the Conrad Dietrich Magirus Award.
For more information, go to www.world-of-firefighters.com
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