Deutscher Feuerwehrverband

What Deutscher Feuerwehrverband does

Deutscher Feuerwehrverband e.V. (DFV) is the official national umbrella federation for German fire services, headquartered in Berlin at Reinhardtstraße 25. The organization represents voluntary fire brigades (Freiwillige Feuerwehren), professional/career fire brigades (Berufsfeuerwehren), industrial fire brigades (Werkfeuerwehren), and the German Youth Fire Brigades (Deutsche Jugendfeuerwehr) across all 16 German states through affiliated state associations (Landesverbände). DFV operates through its 11-employee federal headquarters (Bundesgeschäftsstelle) under the leadership of President Karl-Heinz Banse and eight Vice Presidents, and is registered in the Association Register of Berlin-Charlottenburg (VR 22489 B).

DFV's core offerings include the monthly Deutsche Feuerwehr-Zeitung (DFZ) professional journal, the annual Feuerwehr-Jahrbuch yearbook, the DFV direkt online continuing education webinar series, public awareness campaigns (Keine Gewalt, MENSCH Feuerwehr, Faktor 112, Frauen am Zug, Vielfalt, Notruf 112), and support services including the Stiftung Hilfe für Helfer foundation for psychosocial support after traumatic incidents, BOS-ID identification credentials, and Rahmenverträge (framework procurement agreements). The organization also operates a wholly-owned commercial subsidiary, Versandhaus des DFV GmbH, which handles merchandise and educational materials. DFV maintains strategic partnerships with the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK), the International Association of Fire Services (CTIF), and a new joint museum project with THW-Bundesvereinigung (Federal Agency for Technical Relief).

DFV's business model is non-commercial: the federation is funded primarily through recurring membership dues from the 16 state associations and tax-deductible donations, with ancillary revenue from the e-commerce subsidiary and procurement services. As a registered non-profit (e.V.), DFV does not publicly disclose financial figures. The federation advocates for fire service interests at the federal level, sets professional and operational standards, coordinates civil defense and disaster protection activities, manages international cooperation through CTIF, and drives recruitment and public engagement through campaigns and direct digital channels including a 60,000+ Facebook following, YouTube, and X (Twitter).

Name

Deutscher Feuerwehrverband

Legal name

Deutscher Feuerwehrverband e. V.

Website

https://feuerwehrverband.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Deutscher Feuerwehrverband (DFV) is Germany's national umbrella federation representing voluntary, professional, industrial, and youth fire brigades across all 16 states. Headquartered in Berlin, it sets professional standards, publishes Deutsche Feuerwehr-Zeitung, runs training webinars, advocacy campaigns, and psychosocial support services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Fire Service Association

NAICS

Fire Protection (922160), Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Fire & Rescue Services (Fire Suppression, Rescue) (BPAIAGAB)

Keywords

• Fire service federation
• Fire safety advocacy
• Firefighter training
• Professional association
• Emergency response standards

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership dues and contributions: The federation receives membership dues from affiliated state fire brigade associations (Landesverbände), which in turn represent voluntary, professional, and industrial fire brigades across Germany. These form the core operational funding.
2. Donations and charitable contributions: The Stiftung 'Hilfe für Helfer' (Help for Helpers Foundation) accepts donations to support fire brigade personnel dealing with traumatic operational experiences. Donations are processed via PayPal and are tax-deductible under German law (Paragraph 10b EStG).

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Deutscher Feuerwehrverband is the national umbrella federation for German fire services, representing voluntary, professional, industrial, and youth fire brigades across all 16 German states. It provides publications (Deutsche Feuerwehr-Zeitung, Feuerwehr-Jahrbuch), online training (DFV direkt), psychosocial support through the Stiftung Hilfe für Helfer, identification services (BOS-ID), procurement framework agreements, and public awareness campaigns for fire prevention and recruitment.

Product overview

Deutscher Feuerwehrverband (DFV) is a national association representing German fire services. The organization provides a portfolio of membership services including publications (Deutsche Feuerwehr-Zeitung monthly journal, Feuerwehr-Jahrbuch annual yearbook), online education through DFV direkt webinars, a support foundation (Stiftung Hilfe für Helfer), public awareness campaigns, procurement framework agreements, and identity services (BOS-ID). These offerings serve volunteer, career, industrial, and youth firefighting organizations across Germany.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Deutsche Feuerwehr-Zeitung (DFZ) Official monthly publication of Deutscher Feuerwehrverband appearing in the professional journal Brandschutz, containing news, technical articles, and association information for fire service professionals and member associations.
• DFV direkt (Online-Fortbildungen) Online training and continuing education webinar series for firefighters covering topics including AI tools, civil-military cooperation, fire service regulations, and civil protection.
• BOS-ID Identification service providing credentials for fire service personnel within the BOS (authorities and organizations with security tasks) framework in Germany.
• Feuerwehr-Jahrbuch Annual yearbook publication documenting the activities, events, and developments of German firefighting organizations each year.
• Stiftung Hilfe für Helfer Foundation providing psychological support and assistance to firefighters dealing with traumatic operational experiences, coordinating nationwide networking of support activities.
• Rahmenverträge (Framework Agreements) Pre-negotiated purchasing agreements for firefighting equipment and services available to member organizations, providing procurement benefits through collective bargaining.
• Versandhaus des DFV GmbH Online shop for firefighting merchandise, equipment, and branded products operated by the association's wholly-owned commercial subsidiary.

Quantifiable outcome

• Represents fire brigades across all 16 German states through affiliated state associations

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered strategic, core and minor.

• THW-Bundesvereinigung (Federal Agency for Technical Relief)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025DFV partnered with THW (Technisches Hilfswerk) on a new museum project 'Helfen in der Not – Museum der Deutschen Feuerwehren und des Technischen Hilfswerks in Fulda'. A charter was passed in December 2025 establishing this joint museum initiative.
• CTIF (International Association of Fire Services / Internationaler Feuerwehrverband)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDFV maintains active membership and strategic partnership with CTIF, the international federation of fire services. DFV participates in CTIF competitions (traditional and sports), the International Youth Fire Brigade Exchange, and international congresses. DFV's President engages directly with CTIF leadership, and German teams regularly compete in CTIF events.
• State Fire Brigade Associations (16 Landesverbände)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDFV serves as the national federation representing 16 state-level fire brigade associations. These associations include both voluntary and professional fire brigade members. The state associations form the primary membership structure of DFV.
• Deutsche Jugendfeuerwehr (German Youth Fire Brigades)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDFV maintains a close partnership with Deutsche Jugendfeuerwehr, the national youth fire brigade organization. The DJF has its own national youth leadership team and organizes the Bundeswettbewerb (Federal Competition) for youth teams.
• Deutsches Feuerwehr-Museum (DFM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDFV partners with the German Fire Brigade Museum located in Fulda. The museum preserves fire service history and is referenced as part of DFV's broader historical and cultural mission.
• Bundesamt für Bevölkerungsschutz und Katastrophenhilfe (BBK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDFV collaborates with the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance on civil defense and disaster protection matters. DFV publishes educational materials developed in cooperation with BBK, such as teaching materials on natural hazards.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Deutsches Rotes Kreuz (DRK): German Red Cross, a national nonprofit federation delivering emergency medical services, disaster response, and civil protection. Comparable as a Germany-wide membership/federation structure operating in adjacent emergency-response domains.
• International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC): US-based association representing fire chiefs and emergency service leaders. Comparable as a professional leadership association for the fire service with similar training, advocacy, and member-service functions.
• CTIF (Comité Technique International de prévention et d'extinction du Feu): International association of fire services and rescue services with members across many countries. Directly comparable to DFV as an umbrella federation for fire services, and DFV is itself a CTIF member.
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): US-based nonprofit that develops fire safety codes and standards, delivers training, and advocates for fire safety. Comparable in mission, training/publication portfolio, and standards-setting role to DFV.
• THW-Bundesvereinigung e.V. German support association for the Federal Agency for Technical Relief. Comparable as a domestic nonprofit umbrella/friends organization for a German emergency-response institution, and an active DFV partner (joint museum 2025).
• vfdb (Vereinigung zur Förderung des Deutschen Brandschutzes): German fire protection research and promotion association. Comparable as a Germany-based fire safety organization focused on research, standards, and training in fire protection.
• AGBF Bund (Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Leiter der Berufsfeuerwehren): German association of professional fire brigade chiefs. Comparable as a German fire-service umbrella body, focused specifically on the Berufsfeuerwehren segment that DFV also represents.

Broad incumbents

• Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe e.V. German humanitarian nonprofit with parallel structure to DFV: nationwide federation, civil protection, training, and psychosocial support functions. Comparable as a German nonprofit emergency-services organization operating in adjacent rescue and civil-protection domains.
• CFPA-E (Confederation of Fire Protection Associations – Europe): European umbrella of national fire protection associations across multiple European countries. Comparable as a higher-level federation for fire safety associations, where DFV is a participating national member.

Others

• Bundesamt für Bevölkerungsschutz und Katastrophenhilfe (BBK): Federal German agency for civil protection and disaster assistance. Comparable as the principal public-sector counterpart with which DFV cooperates on civil defense, training, and emergency-preparedness policy — an enabling/governmental partner rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FeuerwehrDFV
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/112Willkommen
• Facebookfacebook.com/112willkommen
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/deutscher-feuerwehrverband

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Deutscher Feuerwehrverband