The Muslim members of the Gelsenkirchen Fire Department

by Matthias Tiemann

The idea behind this series of photos is to symbolise the integration of Muslim fire fighters in all of Germany, using the example of two members of the  Gelsenkirchen Fire Department. Hilal El Gaich and Mohammed Boubkar are German fire fighters, and as watch managers they form an integral part of the department. But they aren’t only colleagues or managers, they’re also friends whose commitment one can rely on in an emergency.

Fireman, fire engine leader and watch manager, Hilal El Gaich. By Matthias Tiemann
Fireman, group leader and deputy guard commander, Mohammed Boubkar By Matthias Tiemann
Fire fighters in front of the Gelsenkirchen Fire Department’s aerial ladder truck.By Matthias Tiemann
Breakfast during a shift is always eaten together with colleagues, in order to develop and maintain strong relationships.By Matthias Tiemann
Watch manager El Gaich and guard commander Boubkar doing everyday office work together and discussing the fire station’s plans and daily routines. By Matthias Tiemann
Ongoing training is a crucial aspect of fire fighting. El Gaich and Boubkar teach the fundamentals as well as new developments, technical support and much more. By Matthias Tiemann
During and after a fire-fighting operation colleagues offer one another mutual support. Trust and teamwork with colleagues and superiors is very important.By Matthias Tiemann
Not only colleagues, but friends too!By Matthias Tiemann
After a fire-fighting mission, it is important to recover one’s energies. A shift lasts 24 hours, sometimes even longer, and can involve multiple operations, whether actual fire fighting or other forms of technical support.By Matthias Tiemann
Watch manager and fire engine leader Hilal El Gaich sits in the front seat of a fire engine. During an operation, he is first to estimate the details of the situation and to make crucial decisions to avert possible dangers. By Matthias Tiemann
While on the way to the site of an operation there is often a lot of information, which the fire engine leader of the second truck of a particular fire station’s first brigade shares with their colleaguesBy Matthias Tiemann
After and also during an operation, feedback is given to the central coordination centre so that they are informed about the situation and can coordinate further measures or units if required.By Matthias Tiemann