April 2026 – City Blog Fürstenwalde

Safety, Networks, and New Forms of Burial

What was important this month

• Fire Department Expansion: Starting in 2026, Fürstenwalde is creating four additional positions to make first responders faster and more reliable.
• Fiber-Optic Expansion: In several districts, the expansion was discussed – with concrete proposals for financing and technology.
• Land-Use Plan 36: The development plan for "Fürstenwalder Gartenfeld" and the 36th amendment to the land-use plan were adopted – with public participation.
• Tree Burial Introduced: The new cemetery regulations now allow tree burials – an ecological alternative.
• 2026 District Budgets: Several districts presented their plans – priorities and projects for 2026 were outlined.

Safer and Faster: Redefining Fire Department Response

In April, the City Council approved the Second Revision of the Emergency Response Plan. The goal is to reach at least 80% of incidents within eight minutes with a minimum of eight responders on site – and to have a second unit on site within 13 minutes. To achieve this, four additional positions will be created starting in 2026 to increase readiness. The City Fire Chief will report annually on the fulfillment of these safety targets, and the demand plan is to be updated again in 2031.

This measure is a clear signal of increased safety in the city. Citizens benefit from faster response times during fires, accidents, or natural disasters.

Fiber Optic Expansion – But How?

In several districts, such as Rauensche Ziegelei and Trebus, the possibilities of fiber-optic expansion were a central topic in April. In Rauensche Ziegelei, representatives from the city discussed the technical and financial framework with the company open infra Glasfaser. Concrete project proposals were submitted, and priorities for financing were set.

In Trebus, the expansion was also discussed, particularly in the Trebus/Molkenberg area. Although no specific figures were mentioned, the city is working on solutions to push forward the broadband expansion – a decisive step for the city's digital future.

Future Cemeteries: Tree Burials Coming

One of the most notable decisions in April was the new version of the cemetery regulations, which introduces tree burial as a new form of burial. With this, Fürstenwalde offers an ecological alternative that is gaining importance, especially among younger generations.

In addition, the cemetery fee regulations were revised, as the previous calculation period had expired. The new regulation was adopted with 7 yes votes and 3 abstentions.

These changes show how the city is adapting to changing social and ecological requirements – even in the area of mourning culture.

Outlook and Summary

April 2026 was a month of clear decisions and long-term planning in Fürstenwalde. From fire department response to fiber-optic expansion, from land use to cemetery policy – the city has set its course for the coming years. The districts remain closely involved in the planning process, which speaks to transparency and community-oriented policy.

In May, the first projects of the new plans will be concretized – particularly in the areas of broadband expansion and the fire department. Citizens are encouraged to continue actively participating, whether in local advisory boards or public discussions.