The fire department in Bavaria is the responsibility of the municipalities. Within the limits of their capacity, the municipalities must establish, equip and maintain municipal fire departments (volunteer fire departments, compulsory fire departments and, under certain conditions, professional fire departments) and provide the necessary fire water supply facilities.
The tasks of the fire departments include, in particular, fire protection and the numerous technical assistance services, e.g. in the event of car accidents, accidents involving hazardous substances and floods. In addition, the fire departments can carry out voluntary tasks if this does not impair their operational readiness.
In the volunteer fire departments, community residents, as well as persons who have regular employment or training in a community, generally perform volunteer firefighting service between the ages of 18 and 65. Youth may join as firefighter candidates from the age of 12.
The commander of the local fire department decides on the admission of new firefighters and young people in each individual case. The commander also checks the physical and mental aptitude of the applicants. Specific information about the fire department at the respective place of residence can be obtained from the responsible municipality.