The fireman’s pole is history – at least in Vienna

VIENNA – The fireman’s pole is history — at least in Vienna.

Firefighter spokesman Lukas Schauer says the last pole in the Austrian capital was removed recently, marking the end of a spectacular — but potentially dangerous — fixture in fire stations around the world.

Schauer told state broadcaster ORF Wednesday that the poles are no longer needed because new or renovated stations are laid out in a way that they would not result in time saved in getting to a fire.

He says the only remaining pole remains in Vienna’s firefighters’ museum, adding: “Stairs are safer.”