fire department
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fire department
The organization responsible for putting out fires and providing technical assistance in accidents or disasters.
Bei einem Brand muss man sofort die Feuerwehr unter der Nummer 112 anrufen.
In case of a fire, you must call the fire department immediately at 112.
'Feuerwehr' (fire department) is a compound word made up of 'Feuer' (fire) and 'Wehr' (defense). The word 'Wehr' means defense or protection against something. So the fire department is literally the 'fire defense'.
Die freiwillige Feuerwehr im Dorf sucht neue Mitglieder.
The volunteer fire department in the village is looking for new members.
Although the fire department consists of many people, the word is a collective noun and is grammatically singular. So the verb is also conjugated in the singular.
Die Feuerwehr ist schon unterwegs.
The fire department is already on its way.
The word can mean both the institution and the emergency crews on site. 'Er arbeitet bei der Feuerwehr' (He works for the fire department) refers to the institution. 'Die Feuerwehr kommt!' (The fire department is coming!) refers to the emergency crews and vehicles.
Mein Bruder will später zur Feuerwehr gehen.
My brother wants to join the fire department later.
In an emergency, the fire department is 'gerufen' (called) or 'alarmiert' (alerted). Its main tasks are 'löschen' (to extinguish), 'retten' (to rescue), 'bergen' (to recover), and 'schützen' (to protect).
Jemand hat wegen des Rauchs die Feuerwehr alarmiert.
Someone alerted the fire department because of the smoke.
defense / weir
'die Feuerwehr' and 'die Wehr' can mean the same thing in some regions: the organization or the people who put out fires and help in emergencies. 'Feuerwehr' is the normal form and is understood everywhere. 'Wehr' as a short form is more colloquial or regional. Learners may confuse the words because 'Wehr' also has other meanings, for example a weir in a river or in the phrase 'sich zur Wehr setzen' (to defend oneself). If you want to speak clearly and be understood everywhere, 'Feuerwehr' is the better choice. 'Wehr' only fits when it is clear from the context that the fire department is meant.
Nach dem Unfall kam die Feuerwehr schnell und sperrte die Straße ab.
After the accident, the fire department arrived quickly and blocked off the road.
Im Dorf hat die Wehr am Samstag eine Übung am Gerätehaus.
In the village, the fire brigade has a drill at the equipment house on Saturday.