36,000 more calls in 2024: Austria’s firefighters are stronger and more effective than ever

"Our system, organization, equipment, training, and coordination have once again proven their effectiveness" 

The newly released 2024 firefighter statistics highlight a record-breaking year for Austria’s fire services. Despite an increase in emergency calls, the country’s firefighters have proven to be more capable than ever, according to a recent press release from the Austrian Fire Service Association. 

In 2024, Austrian firefighters responded to approximately 36,000 more incidents than the previous year, with a total of 339,516 emergency calls. Among these, 246,999 were technical operations (such as traffic accidents, storm damage, floods, and hazardous material incidents), and 65,233 were fire-related emergencies.

More emergency calls, particularly due to floods

One of the biggest challenges came in September 2024, when catastrophic floods hit eastern Austria. Thanks to a steady increase in firefighter membership, Austria’s emergency services were able to mobilize thousands of personnel from across the country to assist in Lower Austria without compromising local readiness in their home regions.

Record number of flood responses
 

Severe weather incidents accounted for much of the increase in technical calls. In 2023, Austrian fire departments handled 57,527 weather-related emergencies—but in 2024, this number surged to 70,310 due to extreme flooding, storm damage, and snow-related incidents.

Austrian Fire Service Association president Robert Mayer praised the firefighters’ efficiency and teamwork, noting that for the first time, all nine Austrian federal states worked together on a single flood disaster response in Lower Austria. 

"Our system, organization, equipment, training, and coordination have once again proven their effectiveness," he said.

Lower Austria’s fire chief Dietmar Fahrafellner emphasized that the 2024 floods were a major challenge, but Austria’s fire services had the necessary resources, personnel, and experience to respond effectively. 

"We proved once again that we can be relied upon in any situation," he said, crediting strategic investments in disaster response for their success.

Over 10,000 people and nearly 7,000 animals rescued
 

One of the most striking statistics from 2024 is the 10,467 people and 6,965 animals rescued by Austria’s firefighters. These numbers do not include rescues from Vienna and Vorarlberg, meaning the true total is even higher.

Growing membership & increasing female participation
 

The Austrian fire services continued to grow in 2024, with 355,379 total members, an increase of 1,581 from 2023. The number of active firefighters rose slightly to 258,074, while youth firefighter membership saw a more significant increase of 1,418, bringing the total to 37,720 young members aged 10 to 16.

Notably, the percentage of female firefighters surpassed 10% for the first time. With 36,003 women and girls now serving, female participation has increased by 189% since 2008.

Austria currently has 4,767 fire departments, including 4,450 volunteer fire stations, 311 industrial fire brigades, and six professional fire departments.

Looking ahead
 

"Our fire services are stronger than ever and well-prepared for the future," said Mayer. "As Austria’s no. 1 disaster response force, we’ve once again proven that we can deliver fast, professional, and sustainable emergency assistance—even under the most challenging conditions."

He also expressed gratitude to all firefighters and the employers who support their service.

Photo Credits: 

• Robert Mayer portrait by: Hermann Kollinger
• Dietmar Fahrafellner portrait by: Matthias Fische
• Rescue operations during floods. (Cover photo above) by: The Lower Austria Fire & Rescue Services / NÖ Landesfeuerwehrkommando