This footage shows a fireman who climbed over 100 feet on a huge extendable ladder to play a trumpet solo for residents during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Volunteer fireman Franz Vordermayer, 48, played the tune on top of the 35-metre (113-foot) high extendable ladder in the rural community of Aschau im Chiemgau, located in southern Germany’s mountainous Bavaria province.
All the local firemen are volunteers, and fire chief Tobias Brinkmann, 40, told Newsflash that the main reason for the tribute was to remind people that in the current crisis, the fire brigade were there for them.
He said they had also just taken delivery of the 600,000-GBP fire engine with the huge ladder, and it was particularly significant that it was used for the tribute which was then shared all around the country.
He said: “We were amazed at the reaction, right afterwards everybody in the village began clapping, but once the video was uploaded we started getting reactions from all over the country.
“The use of the trumpet was chosen because of its special relationship with the fire service. Before it was possible to use the radio, the trumpet was used to communicate when there were fires to raise the alarm and let the fireman know there were needed at the station. But the trumpet was also used in difficult times to convey the message: “We are there for you”.”
“It was also done to thank the community for providing us with the huge ladder, which was very expensive and was only delivered in December, and was almost immediately put into use. It is an essential resource for us.”
He added that they wanted to boost morale among locals with a message: “we are there for you” and had been delighted that it had such a resonance across the country.
The tune that was played was the local anthem known as the “Aschauer Song” followed by Beethoven’s “Ode To Joy”.
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Story By: Michael Leidig, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Newsflash
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