All three elected leaders bring extensive experience and commitment from their previous roles as district fire chiefs. With the election, Christopher Freichel automatically relinquishes his previous position as district fire chief of Lisdorf to fully focus on his new responsibilities as fire chief. The two deputies hold their office concurrently with their roles as district fire chiefs. The decision to elect two deputies again demonstrates the importance of a broadly positioned and modern leadership to sustainably and future-proof the Volunteer Fire Department Saarlouis.
The election was chaired by Mayor Marc Speicher, who opened the event with a speech to the attending firefighters. He was supported by the head of the responsible Office for Order and Citizen Services, Christian Bost, as well as the fire department officer for the city of Saarlouis, Janine Batesta, who helped ensure a smooth process. The fire chief of the Ensdorf fire department, Jürgen Wolfert, represented the fire departments of the Saarlouis district on behalf of the district fire inspector.
In the first round of voting, the fire chief was initially elected. Christopher Freichel, who was the only candidate for this position, was elected with a clear majority of 139 out of 159 votes cast. Additionally, the election resulted in 18 no votes and 2 abstentions. When asked by the mayor whether he accepted the election, Freichel responded with a joyful “Yes, I accept the election!” and the mayor immediately placed the corresponding insignia of office on him. In subsequent rounds of voting, the two deputies were then elected by the active team.
A special moment of the evening was the farewell of the previous fire chief Knut Kempeni. The mayor honored his many years of dedication with heartfelt words and thanked him on behalf of the city of Saarlouis for his outstanding contributions to the Saarlouis fire department. The team honored Kempeni with a standing ovation, an emotional moment that showed the deep appreciation for his work.
At the end of the event, Christopher Freichel addressed the team with his first words as the new fire chief in a brief speech. He not only thanked them for the trust placed in him and the broad majority by which he was elected, but also his predecessor as well as the mayor and his team for the dignified conduct of the event. "This professional and appreciative organization underscores the high esteem in which the fire department is held within the city," emphasized Freichel.
He thanked his predecessor for handing over such a well-organized and functioning force. This is not a given. At the same time, he made it clear that he would tackle the challenges of the office with full commitment – supported by a motivated team and a dedicated crew.
The new fire brigade leadership represents the strength and modernity of the Saarlouis fire department. With clear leadership, a modern structure, and a motivated team, the brigade remains well positioned to meet the challenges of the future and fulfill its responsibility for the safety of the citizens.
