The fire department in Bavaria is the responsibility of the municipalities. The municipalities must set up, equip and maintain municipal fire departments (volunteer fire departments, compulsory fire departments and, under certain conditions, professional fire departments) within the limits of their capacity and provide the necessary extinguishing water supply systems.

The tasks of the fire departments include, in particular, defensive fire protection and numerous technical assistance services, such as car accidents, accidents involving hazardous substances and flooding. The fire departments can also carry out voluntary tasks if this does not impair their operational readiness.

In the volunteer fire departments, community residents, but also people who are regularly employed or in training in a community, generally perform voluntary fire department from the age of 18 until they reach the standard retirement age (currently 67). Young people can join as trainee firefighters from the age of 12.

The commander of the local fire department decides on the admission of new firefighters and young people in each individual case. He also checks the physical and mental aptitude of the applicants.

The fire department commander is responsible for the operational readiness of the volunteer fire department. He is elected by secret ballot from among the members of the volunteer fire department, including full-time firefighters and trainee firefighters who have reached the age of 16, for a term of six years. The result of the election is confirmed by the municipality in consultation with the district fire officer.

Specific information about the fire department in the respective place of residence can be obtained from the responsible municipality.