The old fire station in Horní Žleb, a municipality of the city of Děčín in north-western Bohemia, Czechia, has been renovated, after the building was flooded in 2013. The new facility accommodates 20 well-equipped firefighters who protect the region’s citizens from fires and floods.
Renovated fire station in Horní Žleb, Czechia, ensures better emergency services
- 12 April 2021
“The city of Děčín needed this firefighting facility and the firefighters deserved it. This unit is in charge of, among other things, Prostřední and Dolní Žleb. Even a small rise in the level of the River Elbe is enough to cut us off from the world.”
With the help of the ERDF, the Horní Žleb fire station has been repaired, modified, and renovated. The renovation has increased the facility’s ability to react to emergencies and better protect the surrounding region – and not itself become a victim of flooding.
A second floor was added to the building, providing the crew of voluntary firefighters with more facilities and adequate conditions to operate from. The firefighters of Horní Žleb perform close to 100 rescue missions a year, making the station indispensable to the area.
Combating the effects of climate change
While the city of Děčín and its surrounds is covered by four fire stations, the Horní Žleb fire station is only several metres from the bank of the River Elbe, putting it at greater risk of flooding.
This was the case in 2013, when heavy rains caused the Elbe to rise by 9 metres, flooding large parts of the region, including the fire station. At the time, the old facility only had one floor. Firefighters had nowhere to dry their clothes or equipment and rescue vehicles had to be parked on higher ground.
A naturally challenging location
Děčín is situated in a deep canyon and straddles the Elbe at the point where it converges with one of its tributaries, the Ploučnice. Over recent years, the region has experienced first-hand the effects of climate change. More frequent heavy rains often cause the water level of the Elbe to rise, which poses a danger to the city and its residents.
Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “Fire station Horní Žleb” is EUR 256 362, with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund contributing EUR 277 908 through the “Integrated Regional Operational Programme” for the 2014-2020 programming period. The investment falls under the priority “creation of risk prevention interventions”.