Berlin Fire Department Employment History!
In the heart of Europe, Berlin firefighters are venturing into various side jobs, ranging from academic pursuits to practical work, as revealed by data provided by the Berlin Fire Department in response to a request from B.Z.
The trend shows a significant increase in the number of side jobs among Berlin firefighters, particularly in middle pay grades or at the beginning of their careers. The A7 pay grade, for instance, has seen 468 applications from 2022 to the present, followed by the A8 pay grade with 335 applications, A9 (special career path) with 289, and A9 with structural allowance with 173 applications. Interestingly, firefighter trainees are also active applicants, with 379 applications.
The number of applications for a side job at the Berlin Fire Department has surged, with 523 applications by the end of May 2025, surpassing all previous years. This surge is likely influenced by increased firefighting demands amid extreme fire events across Europe and potential financial or scheduling pressures.
However, the data does not provide concrete statistics or trends on rejection rates or pay grades for these side jobs among Berlin firefighters. The rejection rate for applications for a side job at the Berlin Fire Department is decreasing, with only 2 rejections out of 523 applications in 2025. In contrast, in 2022, 11 applications were rejected, and in 2023, the department rejected 6 applications. The rejection rate for applications in 2024 was not specified in the data.
The A16, A15, A14, A13 SZ, and A11 pay grades have shown low interest in side jobs. On the other hand, the number of approved side jobs for Berlin police officers reached 2408 by May 2025.
The data does not directly address a surge in side job applications among firefighters in Berlin in 2025, nor does it provide detailed trends about rejection rates or pay grades for such applications. However, the context from 2025 indicates a significant increase in wildfire and forest fire incidents across Europe, including Germany, due to extreme heat waves and climate change. This has created immense pressure on firefighting resources, as highlighted by numerous large fires in Bulgaria, Spain, and other European countries during mid-2025. Such a context suggests a heightened workload and demand on firefighters, which might be driving firefighters to seek side jobs either as a financial supplement due to limitations in pay grades within their main firefighting roles or as a way to manage increased stress and workload by diversifying their income.
Further investigation from local Berlin government, firefighting unions, or employment records would be required for more detailed and specific insights into the surge in side job applications among Berlin firefighters and the rejection rates and pay grades associated with these applications.
Firefighters in Berlin are venturing into various side jobs, with fashion-and-beauty, home-and-garden, pets, and travel being potential areas of interest, as shown by an increase in diverse side job applications. With the surge in wildfire incidents across Europe, there might be a need for firefighters to seek lifestyle changes, such as shopping for affordable items or adjusting their food-and-drink habits to manage increased stress and workload. Due to the heightened demand on firefighting resources, car maintenance and repair might also become a practical side job for these personnel. In addition, relationships may require more attention, and side jobs in these areas could help firefighters strike a balance between work and personal life. Further research is necessary to provide more detailed insights into the motivation behind the surge in side job applications among Berlin firefighters and the rejection rates and pay grades associated with these applications.
