Beamter/Beamtin im feuerwehrtechnischen Dienst (gehobener Dienst)

Learning locations include: State Fire Schools, if applicable, the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) Education Center (classrooms), Higher Education Institutions (when completing a Bachelor's degree with integrated career training in the Bundeswehr: lecture halls, seminar and practice rooms, libraries), Professional Fire Departments, if applicable, Bundeswehr Fire Departments (offices, control centers, operations centers, field service - exercises and operations at accident sites, fire trucks), Clinics or Police Stations (internships).

Amendments to the Bundeslaufbahnverordnung (Federal Career Ordinance) came into force on March 17, 2026. They open up demand-oriented special access routes to counteract the shortage of skilled workers. A key focus of the reform is, among other things, the equal treatment of vocational and academic education. For example, access for individuals with vocational further training qualifications such as Bachelor Professional or Master Professional is now also possible in the higher technical administrative service and the higher scientific service.

Occupation type: Civil servant training; differing career titles in individual Bundesländer (federal states). Type of training: Preparatory service, regulated by federal or state ordinances. Duration of preparatory service: Usually 1.5-2 years or 3.5 years (depending on prior education). Minimum requirement for admission to preparatory service: Varies depending on the Bundesland or federal authority (e.g., a completed Bachelor's degree). Learning locations: State Fire Schools, Professional Fire Departments, Clinics, if applicable, Bundeswehr Fire Departments, if applicable, Bundeswehr Education Center, Universities. Tasks and activities: Civil servants in the higher fire service technical service lead operations in firefighting, rescue of people, animals, and property, and organize the elimination or securing of sources of danger. They also perform security and protection duties in the Bundeswehr fire departments. In internal service, civil servants in the higher fire service technical service act as watch officers.

Usually 1.5 to 2 years (with access via a Bachelor's degree). Note: An engineering or natural science Bachelor's degree with integrated career training in the Bundeswehr typically extends to 3.5 years.

The selection process includes, for example, an aptitude test with an individual interview, as well as personality and athletic performance tests. For the higher fire service technical service in the Bundeswehr, the written part of the selection process consists of a performance test, a personality test, a biographical questionnaire, a simulation task, or an essay. The oral part can include a presentation, a group task, and an interview. A fitness test is conducted in the practical part of the selection process.

Structure of a preparatory service in the higher fire service technical service: Basic training: 6 months, practical vocational training Part 1: 3.5 months, leadership course: 1.5 months, practical vocational training Part 2: 2 months, Brandoberinspektorenlehrgang (Senior Fire Inspector Course) Part 1: 2.5 months, practical vocational training Part 3: 3.5 months, Brandoberinspektorenlehrgang Part 2: 1.5 months, practical vocational training Part 4 including career examination: 3.5 months. Total training duration: 2 years.

No course fees are charged for the career training (Laufbahnausbildung). However, travel expenses or costs for learning materials may arise. Costs for accommodation at the training location may also be incurred.

Theoretical and practical training content includes: basic knowledge and skills of fire service, basic knowledge and skills of rescue service depending on the Bundesland (federal state) (training as a rescue helper or paramedic), function and deployment of rescue equipment, operational tactics and leadership (pre- and post-operational preparation); personnel management, preventive fire and hazard protection, personal conduct in operational service and duty operations (stress management, role model function), legal foundations (e.g., fire protection, disaster protection and rescue service law, operational law, public service law), administration, organization, business administration, information and communication technology, and service sports.

One should prepare for the following conditions and requirements: During the theoretical training phases: Attending lectures (e.g., courses at a state fire service school or, if completing a Bachelor's degree (Studium) with integrated career training at the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces), lectures and seminars in university lecture halls and seminar rooms), independent work (e.g., preparing for and reviewing lectures, researching in libraries, preparing performance assessments), and organization (e.g., adhering to submission deadlines for presentations and homework). During the practical training phases: Practical participation under guidance (e.g., participating in exercises and operations), internships (e.g., completing an internship in a clinic or police station), and developing key qualifications (e.g., enhancing problem-solving, organizational, and communication competencies).

The monthly gross basic salary for candidates in federal agencies is 1,744 Euros. An exemplary monthly gross basic salary for candidates in state agencies is 1,549 Euros. Sources: Bundesbesoldungsgesetz (Federal Salary Act) and Landesbesoldungsgesetze (State Salary Acts). Note: In addition to the basic candidate salary, candidate emoluments include capital-forming benefits, and potentially family allowances and other allowances, remunerations, and surcharges.

In-depth knowledge in the following areas is a good prerequisite for successful preparatory service: Management/Organization: For example, to efficiently organize the administration and operations of fire departments. Employee leadership and guidance: For example, for the successful management of rescue operations.

The following alternatives are available for the profession of civil servant (Beamter/Beamtin) in the higher fire service technical service: Area of Law and Administration: Civil servant in the federal military administration (higher technical service), civil servant in the trade supervisory administration (higher technical service), civil servant in metrology (higher technical service). Commonality: Performing auditing and controlling tasks. Area of Protection and Security: Rescue engineering (advanced), security technology (advanced), security management (advanced). Commonality: Taking on auditing and organizational tasks in the field of security.

In 1999, the Bologna Process began, initiating reforms in the European higher education landscape. Its goals included creating a unified European higher education area, harmonizing study programs and degrees by introducing Bachelor and Master programs, and improving the mobility of students and lecturers. In 2017, a new regulation was issued for the higher-level fire service technical service in the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces), stipulating a preparatory service in the form of a Bachelor's degree program with integrated career training.

Training (Ausbildung) in the higher-level fire service technical service takes place as a preparatory service. It typically lasts 1.5 to 2 years and is regulated by federal or Bundesland (state) ordinances. The training concludes with a career examination. Usually, at least a Bachelor's degree is required. Note: The career qualification for the higher-level fire service technical service can also be acquired within the framework of a suitable engineering or natural science Bachelor's degree program at the Bundeswehr. In this case, the career training is completed in parallel with the Bachelor's degree program.

This career path is established at the federal level and in all Bundesländer (states), but there are no specific graduation or professional titles. Career titles may include: Civil Servant - Fire Service (higher technical service), Civil Servant - Fire Service Technical Service (career group 2, first entry level), Civil Servant - Fire Service Technical Service (career group 2, first entry level), Civil Servant - Fire Service Technical Service (third qualification level), Civil Servant - Fire Service Technical Service (third entry level). These career titles are examples and may vary depending on the Bundesland (state). After a successfully completed Bachelor's degree program with integrated career training, the academic degree of Bachelor is awarded in addition to the career qualification. Note: The responsible authorities determine whether the career path is offered as a training (Ausbildung).

After their training (Ausbildung), civil servants in the higher-level fire service technical service primarily work for professional and Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) fire departments. They can keep their specialized knowledge up-to-date or bring it to the latest standard through adaptive further training. The range of topics extends from fire protection to administrative law. With appropriate aptitude, civil servants in the higher-level fire service technical service have the opportunity to move to the next higher career path after a successful promotion procedure. Further studies (Studium) can also be considered, for example, acquiring a Master's degree in safety engineering. Self-employment is also possible, for instance, as an expert or specialist in preventive fire and hazard protection.

The preparatory service for civil servant careers is regulated by the federal government and the Bundesländer (states) in their own ordinances. The respective provisions may differ. Federal level: Ordinance on the preparatory service for the higher technical administrative service in the Bundeswehr in the fire protection area of use (GtDBwBrandschutzVDV) of 23.08.2017 (BGBl. I S. 3273), last amended by Article 2 Para. 21 of the Ordinance of 11.03.2026 (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 67). Bundesland (state) level: Ordinance of the Ministry of the Interior on the training and examination for the higher-level fire service technical service (Ausbildungs- und Prüfungsordnung für den gehobenen feuerwehrtechnischen Dienst - APrOFw gD) of 17.11.2014 (BW.GBl. S. 663), last amended by Article 6 of the Law of 10.02.2026 (BW.GBl. Nr. 20). Ordinance on the specialist focus fire service technical service (FachV-Fw) of 18.11.2011 (Bay.GVBl. S. 599), last amended by § 2 of the Ordinance of 10.06.2024 (Bay.GVBl. S. 159).

As a rule, a successfully completed Bachelor's degree or an equivalent recognized university degree in an engineering or natural science field is required. Note: Admission to an engineering or natural science Bachelor's degree program with integrated career training, however, may be granted to those who can demonstrate eligibility for a higher education institution cooperating with the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces). Furthermore, for admission to the training (Ausbildung), for example, the following are required: Proof of the health suitability required for the fire service technical service, including suitability for breathing apparatus; depending on the Bundesland (state), possibly additional requirements such as specific body height and visual acuity, possession of the silver swimming badge, and a Class B driving license. Additionally, for applicants for the fire service technical service of the Bundeswehr: German citizenship according to Art. 116 of the Basic Law, unlimited willingness to be transferred, willingness to participate in foreign assignments.