Overview
- Several members of the Freiwillige Feuerwehr Egeln stopped at an AfD information stand in full or partial uniform and with a service vehicle and posed for photos with AfD Spitzenkandidat Ulrich Siegmund after a deployment on Friday, August 7, 2026.
- The encounter was filmed and published by the YouTuber Weichreite TV, showing handshakes, friendly remarks from Siegmund and group photos taken in front of the fire vehicle.
- Verbandsbürgermeister Michael Stöhr posted the footage on Facebook, called the conduct unacceptable, apologized to other volunteers and announced an internal evaluation that could lead to sanctions including dismissal.
- The mayor’s public criticism has provoked a heated online response with thousands of comments, some accusing him of singling out volunteers and others demanding accountability or his resignation.
- Local officials say visible partisan activity by uniformed emergency personnel risks damaging trust in impartial emergency care, and observers will watch the internal review for its handling of neutrality rules and any wider effects on volunteer recruitment and public confidence.