With the dedication of the new fire station at 55 Strawinskystraße, the Katzwang Volunteer Fire Department now has a modern and future-ready facility. On September 18, 2026, the building—constructed by WBG KOMMUNAL GmbH on behalf of the City of Nuremberg—was officially handed over to the fire department by Mayor Marcus König and Mayor Dr. Nasser Ahmed, together with Sabine Stahl, authorized signatory of WBG KOMMUNAL GmbH, Chief Fire Officer Volker Skrok, head of the Nuremberg Fire Department, and Marcus Haas, commander of the Katzwang Volunteer Fire Department.
“The members of our volunteer fire departments are on standby around the clock to help people in need and ensure safety in our city. This tremendous volunteer commitment deserves not only our gratitude but also modern and reliable equipment. With the new fire station, we are creating excellent conditions for this in Katzwang,” explains Mayor Marcus König.
The new building replaces the previous fire station on Neuseser Straße. It features three parking spaces for emergency vehicles, an attached storage area, and a two-story functional wing. Among other things, it houses modern changing rooms and restrooms, a training room, a lounge area for the youth fire department and a potential children’s fire department, an office, and a kitchen. The building is fully accessible and features an elevator and a wheelchair-accessible restroom.
“With this inauguration, we are fulfilling an important promise to the Katzwang Volunteer Fire Department. The new fire station combines functional architecture, modern technology, and excellent conditions for training and youth recruitment. In doing so, we are making a long-term investment in the effectiveness of our fire department and in the safety of the people in southern Nuremberg,” emphasizes Fire Chief Dr. Nasser Ahmed.
The building meets current requirements for modern fire stations: Special attention was paid to safe emergency response routes, up-to-date occupational safety and health standards, and separate changing and restroom areas. The spacious area in front of the vehicle hall also allows for drills, vehicle load checks, and safe dispatch without having to drive directly into public traffic.
“The new fire station significantly improves operating conditions for the Katzwang Volunteer Fire Department. Modern alert, communication, and safety technology helps emergency responders act quickly and reliably in an emergency. At the same time, the building provides excellent conditions for training, drills, and the important work of recruiting new members,” explains Chief Fire Officer Volker Skrok, head of the Nuremberg Fire Department.
A special task of the Katzwang Volunteer Fire Department is responding to incidents on the Main-Danube Canal. For this purpose, it also has oil spill response equipment available, which can be used to skim oil from water surfaces. The new fire station now provides the necessary storage and operational space for this specialized equipment as well as for the regular training and continuing education of the emergency responders.
“A new chapter is beginning for our fire department with the new fire station. We now have ample space for vehicles and equipment, modern changing rooms, and areas where we can conduct training sessions, club activities, and the training of our fellow firefighters. This not only strengthens our operational readiness but also fosters a sense of community within the department,” says Commander Marcus Haas.
The building is also prepared for disaster situations. A permanently installed backup power system can supply the entire fire station in the event of a power outage. The designated fuel reserve enables self-sufficient operation for up to 72 hours. Modern alarm and communication technology, a comprehensive fire alarm system, and a connection to the fire department’s own data network round out the technical equipment.
The compact structure was built using precast concrete with a clinker brick facade. The roof features extensive green roofing. Heating is provided by an air-to-water heat pump, and the interior spaces are partially ventilated by a ventilation system with heat recovery. Rainwater collected on the property is pre-treated and allowed to infiltrate on-site. The unpaved outdoor areas were landscaped with native shrubs, trees, and woody plants.
Due to the steeply sloping terrain and varying soil conditions, the project presented unique planning and construction challenges. Extensive ground stabilization measures and retaining walls were required for the adjacent properties. In addition, sand lizards living on the property were relocated to a specially prepared compensation area in advance.
“The standardized design of fire stations creates important synergies. At the same time, the proven basic structure in Katzwang had to be adapted to the specific conditions of the site. We owe the fact that this resulted in a functional, aesthetically compelling building tailored to the fire department’s requirements to the close collaboration of all project participants,” explains Sabine Stahl, authorized signatory at WBG KOMMUNAL GmbH.
The City of Nuremberg invested approximately 8.57 million euros in the new construction, and the Free State of Bavaria has pledged a grant of 391,600 euros in accordance with the fire department funding guidelines. The project is part of the program for the gradual renovation and modernization of the 18 fire stations of the Nuremberg Volunteer Fire Department. WBG KOMMUNAL GmbH has been responsible for the planning and implementation of these projects since 2017 in collaboration with the Nuremberg Fire Department.
