He’s not just active there. According to his own figures, he has 119,000 followers on Instagram, 73,000 on TikTok, and 47,000 on Facebook—a total of 311,000. He’s also something of a poster child for modern volunteerism. With his training videos and educational content, in which he explains complex firefighting topics in a simple and understandable way, he reaches an audience of millions.

“Welcome to FeuerwehrWilli—that’s me!”—for tens of thousands of first responders, this phrase marks the start of their digital shift. On his channel, André Willer packages dry service regulations and complex technology into entertaining videos that spark an interest in the fire service. Now, at the world’s leading trade fair, Interschutz in Hanover, the “fire service influencer” is swapping the screen for face-to-face interaction. “Here, visitors can meet me, take photos, get autograph cards, or just strike up a conversation,” promises Willi.

In addition, as he puts it, FeuerwehrWilli wants to return from the trade show to share authentic, typical FeuerwehrWilli-style reports on new technology, innovations, and exciting insights from the international firefighting world. He aims to prove that the future of fire safety isn’t just about smart technology, but above all about a strong community—and enthusiasm.

As he emphasizes, Willi isn’t concerned with polished chrome or high sales figures, but rather, between shop talk and selfie-taking, with the “we” in volunteer work. “Whether woman, man, diverse, complete beginner, or seasoned veteran—everyone gets the same respect from me,” is his motto. “Even if someone has a disability, that person often brings special skills and strengths that can be very valuable to a fire department.” As an example, he cites former career firefighter Jens Effenberger, who is now in a wheelchair and is a member of the FeuerwehrWilli crew. “With his experience and perspective, he brings valuable insights to our work,” says André Willer.

That’s why he wants his INTERSCHUTZ booth to be a place where people can truly connect. “The person under the helmet is more important to me than the flashiest gadget,” says the man from Vesbeck in Lower Saxony. He served as the local fire chief there for twelve years. His work as an instructor in basic firefighting training continues to shape his work to this day. For him, the focus is clear: “A strong fire department starts with a solid foundation.” In other words: Those who have a firm grasp of the basics can work more confidently on the job and better handle even complex situations. It is precisely this knowledge that FeuerwehrWilli wants to pass on in a modern and practical way.

But he’s also bringing a trade show debut to Hannover: At his booth, he’ll be showcasing, among other things, a so-called swap-body truck (WLW) in collaboration with MUNK Group GmbH. According to the designers, this transport vehicle is one-of-a-kind and guarantees optimal off-road transport. With various modules, it can be used for a range of operational and transport purposes.

And when he’s not at INTERSCHUTZ, FeuerwehrWilli frequently visits fire departments across Germany, as well as in Austria and Switzerland, to film instructional and informational videos. He doesn’t have a fixed base of operations. “My presence at INTERSCHUTZ is also meant to be a thank you to everyone who has accompanied and supported me over the years,” he assures everyone who, like him, is looking forward to the reunion in Hanover.

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