The farewell was an evening full of pride, memories and great appreciation. Numerous guests - fellow firefighters, companions, family, friends and municipal representatives - came to say thank you. The evening was filled with personal moments, impressive performances and lots of applause: the Kevelaer marching band opened with music, the youth fire department brought a smile to the audience with their presentation "Episodes from the life of a fire chief", while the Tanzkids Wetten and the Showgirls Kevelaer delighted the audience.
Georg was ceremoniously accepted into the honorary department and appointed honorary fire chief. Particularly moving: the entry in the Golden Book of the pilgrimage town of Kevelaer - a gesture that shows deep solidarity.
Mayor Dr. Dominik Pichler also had words of appreciation: "Georg Metzelaers is a person who doesn't make a lot of fuss about himself, but achieves a great deal. He has shaped our fire department, led it with foresight and is a role model in terms of commitment and humanity."
New management officially appointed
The evening also saw the official appointment of the new fire department management of our volunteer fire department - based on a unanimous council resolution from February 2025.
Town fire inspector Thomas Fehst was appointed as the new fire chief, bringing with him many years of experience and trust as deputy fire chief. He will be supported by the newly appointed deputy fire chiefs Heinz-Josef Tepest and Fabian Daniels. Together, they will lead the Kevelaer fire department for the next six years.
A life for the fire department - and for Kevelaer
Georg Metzelaers, who lives in Wetten, has been a member of the Kevelaer volunteer fire department since 1992. He was appointed an honorary officer in 2008 and took over the position of fire brigade chief in 2013, which he is now handing over after twelve years. He has also worked in the city administration since 2013 - initially in auditing, later in the public order office, responsible for road traffic and the fire department, among other things.
In his private life, Metzelaers is an avid cyclist and regularly spends his vacations on Langeoog - he always books his vacation home there a year in advance.
His departure marks the end of an era in Kevelaer's fire department history and the beginning of a new phase in the life of a man who has always put himself at the service of the community with complete conviction. Thank you, Georg!