The ‘Befana’

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The arrival of the ‘Befana’
Loggia dei Lanzi
Piazza della Signoria
Florence, January 2023

“The Befana will ‘plane’ from the Loggia dei Lanzi and distribute sweets to the children. The Befana of the firefighters returns to fly in Piazza della Signoria in Florence. At 3 pm on Friday 6 January, after a period of arrest due to the health emergency, the annual appointment dedicated to all children returns: the magical old lady will ‘plane’ from the Loggia dei Lanzi. The invitation, addressed to all children, is to show up in the square at 3 pm: shortly after, the Befana will demonstrate not indifferent acrobatic skills, descending from the terrace above the Loggia and distributing candies and sweets to the little spectators. In the difficult aerial descent, the old lady will not be alone: together with her, to help her, there will be five firefighters.” (The Befana of the firefighters returns to fly in Piazza della Signoria, Italy 24 News English)

Firefighters at Saint-Lazare

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Firefighters on stand-by outside the Saint-Lazare metro station
Cour de Rome
Quartier de l'Europe, 8th arrondissement
Paris, July 2014

Bagpipe Players

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Bagpipe players, Berlin Firefighter Challenge
Potsdamer Platz
Berlin, September 2011

See also: Berlin Firefighter Challenge

Berlin Firefighter Challenge

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Victim rescue, Berlin Firefighter Challenge
Potsdamer Platz
Berlin, September 2011

“A 175-lb. (79.4kg) Simulaids, Inc., Rescue Randy® mannequin must be dragged backwards a distance of 100-ft (30.5m). Carrying the dummy is not permitted. If any competitor crosses the course delineator (i.e., goes out of lane), a 5-second penalty will be assessed. Any contact with the opposing competitor will result in disqualification. The mannequin must not be grasped by its clothing or appendages. Time stops when the competitor and victim completely cross the finish line. The Course Marshal, at his sole discretion, may stop any competitor who in the official's opinion creates or is in a dangerous or unsafe condition.” (Berlin Firefighter Challenge, pdf file)

See also: Bagpipe Players