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

Vienna (AP) – 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.”