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Hinrich Struve  and his wife Änne at his 80th birthday in 2009. Photo by  Rico Thumser / DFV.
19 Jul 2024

Grief in Germany and in CTIF after the passing of DFV Honorary President Hinrich Struve

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Hinrich Struve during his active years. Archival photo by DFV. BerlinHinrich Struve, Honorary President of the German Firefighters Association (DFV), has passed away at the age of 95, the German Fire Service Association DFV reports on their home page.  Mr Struve was also CTIF Vice President from 1991 till 1995 and remains an Honorary CTIF Member.

Hinrich Struve is from the region of North Friesland, and served as President of the German Firefighters Association from 1981 to 1993. 

"With him, we lose a great and nationally as well as internationally recognized firefighter, comrade, and friend. We mourn a strong president who made significant contributions to the unity of the German firefighter associations," said DFV President Karl-Heinz Banse. 

"Hinrich Struve has left deep footprints with his calm, determined Nordic manner. He led the association wisely and with foresight," Banse added.

Struve led the association through, among other things, the period of German reunification. With great personal dedication, he accompanied the reconstruction of the municipal firefighting system in the East German states. He was particularly committed to the re-establishment of the state firefighter associations there as professional associations and representatives of firefighters. He always valued the unity of the firefighters and their associations.

Across borders, Hinrich Struve was also committed to international understanding as Vice President of the World Firefighters Association CTIF. His heartfelt concern was the lively transmission of historical firefighting knowledge to future generations: during his tenure, the German Firefighting Museum in Fulda was built in its current form, and he served as chairman of its foundation until 2010.

He was Honorary President of the DFV, an honorary member of the CTIF, honorary state fire chief in the state firefighters association of his home state Schleswig-Holstein, and honorary district fire chief of North Friesland.

Mr Struve's achievements were recognized with, among other awards, the German Firefighters Honorary Cross in Silver and Gold, the Golden Honorary Pin of the DFV, the Silver and Golden Honorary Pins of the German Youth Firefighters, and the Medal for International Cooperation in Gold

The Federal President honoured his achievements with the Federal Cross of Merit on Ribbon, the Federal Cross of Merit First Class, and the Grand Federal Cross of Merit.

 

There may be mis-translations of these awards in English. Here is the German text:+Seine Verdienste wurden unter anderem mit dem Deutschen Feuerwehr-Ehrenkreuz in Silber und Gold, der Goldenen Ehrennadel des DFV, der Silbernen und Goldenen Ehrennadel der Deutschen Jugendfeuerwehr und der Medaille für internationale Zusammenarbeit in Gold ausgezeichnet. 

Der Bundespräsident würdigte seine Leistungen mit dem Bundesverdienstkreuz am Bande, dem Bundesverdienstkreuz 1. Klasse und dem Großen Bundesverdienstkreuz.

 

Photo Credits:

Cover Photo Above: Hinrich Struve  and his wife Änne at his 80th birthday in 2009. Photo by Rico Thumser / DFV.

Photo in text left: Hinrich Struve during his active years. Archival photo by DFV. 

 

 

Biography of Hinrich Struve

  • 1943: Joined the Volunteer Fire Department Niebüll, war missions
  • 1963: Elected fire chief of FF Reußenköge/leader of the unit
  • 1972: Elected district fire chief of North Friesland
  • 1974: Elected deputy state association chairman
  • 1980 to 1985: Chairman of the LFV Schleswig-Holstein
  • 1981 to 1993: President of the German Firefighters Association
  • Since January 1, 1994: Honorary President of the German Firefighters Association
  • Until December 2010: Chairman of the German Firefighting Museum Foundation in Fulda

 

More portraits for use in reporting are available at https://www.feuerwehrverband.de/presse/bilder/.