In almost each chronicle by cities and municipalities it is to be reread that in former times whole road courses or quarters were destroyed by fires. At that time it was function of the citizens to assist in such cases each other. The alerting took place via bell ring or bugler or "Türmer". The "Türmer", standing on a tower, had at that time the function, particularly at night, to point the citizens the direction of the fire place, with a torch in his hand.

The fire fighting took place with most primitive means such as leather buckets and excavator buckets. Every family had its own leather bucket. The success of this type of fire fighting was very small. Only well trained and equipped fire-brigades were able to stop that kind of fires.


 1909

On arrangement of the royal land advice at that time an obligation fire-brigade should be created in Boesperde, which did not find the applause of the citizens. They wanted a voluntary fire-brigade, and with support of the honorary office man this succeeded also. In December of 1909 the voluntary fire-brigade of Menden Bösperde was founded, which was led in the first years by fire chief Caspar Rohe.

 1910

The first uniforms could be already purchased. The group made good progress, and so 1911 the first alarm exercise already took place. The alerting took place at that time via buglers, since there was still no church with bell tower in Boesperde.

 1914

A corps with drums was founded. Due to the following 1. World war the young group got its first setback. At the end of world war I. it counted only 4 members.

 1924

In this year the list of a band with 25 members followed.

 1933

The voluntary fire brigade bösperde consisted now of the considerable number of 58 members. On Arrangement of the 2. world war regime the fire brigade bösperde was reduced to a number of 27 members.

 1943

The largest incident during wartime took place, when it applied in May with the Moehnekatastrophe three days long to save animals and peoples lives. Bösperde received the first vehicle toward end of the war; a Brennabor with a TS Pump 8/8 on a trailer. Hereby also the reconstruction began, into which also the establishment of a group of young people fell.

 1951

In this year the arranging celebration for a riser tower could be celebrated.

 1953

In September a new vehicle, a LF 8 on Ford's fiber plastics, that was urgently needed, could be transferred to the volunteers.

 1959

Bösperde fire brigade celebrates its 50 year old existence. Since the fire shed at the Heidestrasse road became meanwhile too small, the office administration decides to build a new fire department at the village route.

 1968

The key of the new fire department was handed out to the fire chief.

 1972

After a local re-organization the fire brigade Boesperde forms 1,1,1972 together with the voluntary fire brigades of Halingen and Schwitten the fire unit-north since that voluntary fire-brigade Menden. In the same year a LF 8 can be transferred heavily (Mercedes LAF 911 / Schlingmann) to bösperde.

 1975

That already for a long time necessary TLF 16/25 (Mercedes LAF 1113 / Schlingmann) is transferred to the bösperde firefighters in February.

 1980

A further acquisition was the command vehicle, which was transferred to the fire unit-north, and is stationed in bösperde.

 1984

The bösperde volunteers celebrate their 75 year old existence.

 1991

After scarcely one year's construction period the extension building of the fire department bösperde could be transferred solemnly on 25 October.

 1993

The fire brigade bösperde receives an equipment vehicle with a radiation protection equipment, which had been converted from a retired rescue car. The fire fighting units of Boesperde, Halingen and Schwitten (fire fighting unit north) are trained strengthened from now on in the area radiation protection. Three fireman create the group of model constructions of Boesperde.

 1997

During the yearly service discussion the (almost) new LF 16/12 (MAN 12,232 / Schlingmann) will transfer as back-up for the LF 8 [heavy] to Boesperde.

 1999

The fire brigade bösperde celebrates its 90 year old existence. In the anniversary year 50 active firemen belong to the volunteer fire fighters bösperde . With a large exercise, with siren alarm, began the prelude to a successful anniversary celebration!









1909 - Year of foundation








1936 - The fire-brigade with a removal








1966 - Major fire at the company Kraas








1972 - New Engine LF 8 heavy








1999 - Bösperde fire fighters - Y2K ready!
© 2000 by Volunteer Fire Department Menden-Bösperde - All Rights reserved