WITH YOU FOR US ALL Magazine

The Federal Volunteer Service (BFD) is an easy way to get involved in Germany for a certain period of time for the common good – for example in civil protection and disaster control. We spoke to former volunteers Laura Killemann and Christian Seiler and volunteer coordinator Martin Kummer about how this works at the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (ger. Technisches Hilfswerk/ THW) and what the benefits of the BFD are. The Federal Volunteer Service was introduced in July 2011 after compulsory military service in Germany and the associated civilian service were suspended. It is therefore possible to complete a BFD in many places where civilian service was previously possible. It usually lasts around 12 months and can be started at any stage of life after completing compulsory schooling at the age of 15 or 16. A growing program Qualified teacher Martin Kummer is head of the Federal Volunteer Service department at the THW in Bamberg. He has been working with volunteers at THW for five years. When he started there, the program was still being developed. “Before my time, there were only a maximum of two volunteers per year at the Bamberg regional office,” he recalls, ”now there are 14-15 on average.” Across Germany, the THW now has around 800 so called „Bufdis“ (name for the BFD volunteers) per year. The program has therefore grown significantly in recent years. The support situation for the volunteers has also continued to improve as a result of experience, reports Kummer. Today, in addition to a wide range of tasks, the volunteers generally expect close supervision and numerous educational opportunities. Mostly it is the desire for orientation The reasons why someone decides to do the Federal Voluntary Service are very diverse, reports Kummer. Mostly it is the desire for orientation after school. After leaving school, young people are initially somewhat overwhelmed by the many opportunities available to them and then decide to do something completely different for a while before starting university or an apprenticeship – not learning again straight away, but getting a taste of working life – with working hours, breaks, vacations and defined tasks. According to Kummer, some people also join the THW specifically because they want to join the professional fire department, the police or the armed forces later on. Gaining experience in professional life Laura Killemann also decided to do her BFD with the THW regional association in Saxony and Thuringia after leaving school because she didn’t know exactly what she wanted to do afterwards. She wanted to gain professional experience and was very interested in technology. On the recommendation of her brother, she ended up at THW. “I read up on the THW on the internet beforehand and saw what areas of work they offer and it sounded very interesting – the different areas: Administration, IT, media, technology,” she reports. After the BFD, Killemann decided to train as an orthopaedic technician. The THW helped her a lot with her decision, she says. As she was able to get a taste of various practical activities as part of the BFD, she discovered her skills in the trade and at the same time realized: “Administration is not really my thing.” „”The next steps should already be set” During her BFD time, Killemann was not only able to gain practical experience, she also received support with her job applications for the rest of her life, she explains. The Bufdi coordinator Kummer also emphasizes: “When the BFD ends, the connection should ideally already be ‘in dry cloths’ (german saying). The volunteers are therefore also supported in their career orientation. He believes it is important to “pack a rucksack for all volunteers during their year, which will help them later on”. The BFD therefore also includes numerous educational opportunities – from political, social and cultural education to practical training. However, all volunteers are given the opportunity to complete the THW basic training as part of the BFD. They can then take this with them for later – both as experience and as a qualification. Driving safety training, first aid courses or even a forklift license can also be completed as part of the BFD. If they wish, the volunteers leave the year with a “whole packet of certificates”, explains Kummer. These are practical and verifiable experiences that could be enriching for many young people’s CVs. BFD is also a good choice for bridging the gap For Christian Seiler, it was not so much uncertainty about his future career path that led to his decision to do the BFD with the THW, but rather the desire to fill the time between the end of school and his apprenticeship with a meaningful activity. “I decided relatively late after school not to go straight to university because I wanted to do an apprenticeship after all. However, the apprenticeship places for 2023 were already gone and I couldn’t start my apprenticeship until 2024. So I thought: I’ll just do a voluntary service in the meantime.” Christian Seiler is now training to become a mechatronics engineer. He says he was particularly interested in the technical aspects of the TWH, “that I can learn a lot of technical things that will also help me with my training. I was interested in the fact that I could do something practical. And I found it exciting to get to know the THW better because I didn’t know much about it.” What does a volunteer do – lots of things. When asked “What does a volunteer do at THW?”, all three give us the same answer: the tasks are varied – as varied as the volunteers themselves. In the last five years, all age groups from 16 to 65 have been involved, reports Kummer. Then you have to look – “Is this someone who is fresh out of school and would like to get a taste of different activities and learn something? Or is it someone who is about to retire and would simply like to be a bit of support, for example in administration or would like to get to know something new than his or her previous job description?” The interests and skills of the individual volunteers therefore play just as much a role as the location, as the BFD can be completed at the THW management, in the regional offices, in the regional offices or even in the volunteer-run local associations. Depending on where you end up, the tasks that volunteers can take on change. The tasks range from repairs and equipment testing to driving services and support at events through to public relations work and administrative tasks – so an interest in technology is not absolutely necessary if you want to complete the BFD with the THW. Normal working days and special moments The BFD day is designed like a normal working day, describes Laura Killemann. “You arrive in the morning, greet your colleagues, ask if anyone has any tasks for you and whether you can help somewhere.” One task in particular sticks in her mind: “At the end of my federal voluntary service, we helped out at a state youth camp in 2022 at Leipzig-Altenburg Airport in the municipality of Nobitz, and I was allowed to help with the preparation, follow-up and implementation. It was great to see the whole thing for myself and to see the logistical effort involved.” She has particularly fond memories of the happy faces of the young people who took their performance badge at the national youth camp. „No two days were ever the same“ Christian Seiler also describes his tasks as varied: “Some things were repetitive, but there were no two days that were the same, it was really very varied.” During his BFD, he worked at the Bremen regional office. The regional offices are subordinate to the management and the eight regional associations. There are 66 regional offices in the THW organization. Each regional office in turn coordinates around ten local associations. Seiler worked in the Bremen regional office as part of the “audit team”. This team inspects the materials in each of the ten local branches every year. For around two weeks, he was involved in the inspection in each local association. “Those were long days,” he recalls, as the team always drove from the regional office to the local association in the morning and back again in the evening. During these two weeks, he got to see a lot of the day-to-day work in the local associations. When he wasn’t out and about with the inspection team, his tasks were varied, he remembers: “You arrived in the morning and then did what you had to do.” In addition to testing equipment, his tasks also included transporting equipment from the regional office to the local associations and vice versa, programming Excel spreadsheets here and there, designing a patch for the volunteers and vehicle maintenance: “That didn’t come up so often, but it also involved doing things like changing tires. That was also very interesting because I personally hadn’t done that before. It’s not rocket science, but it was cool. These are things that always help in life if you can do them.” Independence and self-confidence Seiler particularly remembers the moment when he completed his THW basic training – and held his certificate in his hands. He went to the training center in Brandenburg an der Havel three times for a week each time. But it wasn’t just technical knowledge that helped him, the BFD also helped him personally, says Seiler: “The fact that you simply become much more independent, that you have to work on tasks on your own, that you go somewhere on your own and do something. You become much more self-confident – that kind of thing really helped me a lot with my personal development.” Seiler can highly recommend the BFD at the THW regional office, because there was always something to do. “It was a strange feeling when it was over,” he says today, shortly after the end of his voluntary service. He really enjoyed the time. Do volunteers later become volunteers? How many volunteers went on to become THW volunteers? About half, Kummer estimates. Of the 73 volunteers who have completed a BFD in his regional office in the last five years, around 80% have also registered as volunteers in a local association. Around half of them have also remained in the local association after their BFD. So for many of them, the BFD really is their first step into volunteering. However, Kummer emphasizes that it is of course also okay if you don’t want to continue after the BFD. The exact number of people who stay with the THW after their BFD is not easy to determine, because many people move to other cities after their BFD, for example to study, and then continue working in a THW local association there. “We actually see this all the time now,” says Kummer, that helpers ‘come to THW from other cities with their qualifications and say: I did my Federal Voluntary Service here and there and am already joining you as a qualified helper’. Or they get to know THW through the BFD and then initially have other priorities such as finding a career or planning a family. And then, when they have more time again, they become volunteers. Anything is possible. Doing good and being happy yourself Laura Killemann also stayed with THW as a volunteer after her BFD. “I realized that I wanted to make a difference, help out and you can also feel the sense of cohesion at THW and I wanted to be a part of that.” Why should others also consider the BFD? “You can work for the common good in Germany, get to know lots of new people and have exciting experiences,” reports Killemann. Today, the THW has also become a kind of family for her, which gives her support in bad moments. “I can do good in my voluntary work and be happy at the same time, which motivates me,” she says.

Firefighter, marketing specialist – and, together with his team, proud winner of the ‘Helping Hand’ award from the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Homeland (BMI): In today’s interview, Niklas Rückborn tells us why his employer Dräger has launched a campaign for voluntary work, the idea that convinced the jury of the award in the ‘Support for Volunteering’ category and why supporting voluntary work is definitely worthwhile for companies. Mr Rückborn, how did you get involved in the fire service? I was a founding member of the children’s fire brigade at the age of nine. After that, I joined the youth fire brigade and then the active fire brigade at the age of 16 – a ‘second life’, so to speak. I am currently a breathing apparatus wearer, machine operator and member of a nationwide special unit for forest and vegetation firefighting. Professionally, I work in marketing for the fire service and authorities at Dräger in Lübeck. With more than 16,000 employees worldwide, we manufacture medical and safety technology products – for example for hospitals and rescue services, for mining and industry or for the fire service. What idea convinced the jury of the sponsorship award? I need to expand a little on that: In the fire service sector, a lot revolves around the ‘Interschutz’. The world’s leading trade fair for the fire, rescue and civil protection sectors takes place every five years. In the two years leading up to this major event, the focus was clearly on our new products, which we presented during the trade fair. However, we don’t just want to launch our products on the market, we also want to support our customers in their daily operations. We are aware of the current and sometimes worrying situation surrounding the fire service. What exactly do you mean? For example, there are problems with recruiting new members in the volunteer fire brigades, but also the frequent lack of financial resources for their own image video shoot to recruit new members. At the same time, there is increasing violence against firefighters. All of this has prompted us to set up a campaign. It is intended to put the firefighters in the spotlight. Our main aim was to draw the public’s attention to the important role of the fire brigades, the voluntary work, and at the same time to provide a platform on which the fire brigades can present themselves and promote their work. And what have you specifically done in your company? To coincide with the start of ‘Interschutz’ on 20 June 2022, we launched the campaign ‘Dräger is looking for you! Your passion in the spotlight!’ campaign. Its core idea: to put the fire service and its members in the spotlight by showcasing their passion and commitment. We launched a landing page and asked the volunteers two questions: ‘Why are you in the fire service?’ and ‘What is your passion?’. They were able to submit their answers along with a photo and enter the lottery pot. The response to the campaign was also impressive, wasn’t it? Yes, the campaign ran for a total of nine months, until February 2023, during which time 151 entries were received. Who took first place – and with which story? There were many great submissions. First place went to the Grömitz volunteer fire brigade. They submitted a great story about their release from the compulsory fire brigade. What does ‘compulsory fire brigade’ mean? If a volunteer fire brigade is not formed due to a lack of members – and fire protection cannot be guaranteed as a result – citizens are obliged to serve in the fire brigade. However, the Grömitz fire brigade has managed to free itself from this compulsory fire brigade relatively quickly, with great cohesion and various campaigns to recruit members – which really deserves respect. And what was the first prize? A professional image video: In this, we recreated the history of the Grömitz fire brigade – from a postman dropping the ‘compulsory fire brigade commitment notice’ letter to the formation of a cool big squad. The video now has almost 40,000 views on YouTube and has also been reported in the local press. This has generated a lot of attention for the Grömitz fire brigade. This not only helps them with their public relations work. The comrades are naturally also proud of the result. Was this a one-off project to support Dräger’s voluntary work or were there other campaigns? A women’s group from the Marburg fire brigade also submitted a very impressive application for the campaign. We took this as an opportunity to address the topic of women in the fire service – and the associated prejudices. To this end, we made short videos for social media. We have also recently returned to the topic of promoting young talent. The ‘XXIV International Youth Fire Brigade Encounter’ took place in July. For this event, we set up a joint sponsorship programme together with a wide range of manufacturers. Where do you see the advantages for companies of supporting voluntary work – even within their own organisation? A commitment to society also has a positive effect on the corporate culture. After all, values such as empathy, community and solidarity are emphasised. And in my opinion, employers who support their employees’ voluntary work are repaid in many ways. Consider, for example, increased employee satisfaction and loyalty. In addition, voluntary activities offer valuable opportunities for team building and the development of leadership qualities. Overall, corporate support for volunteering can be a win-win situation that benefits both society and the company itself. It contributes to corporate social responsibility and strengthens the community.

Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Irene Hillger. Since 2001, she has been involved with the Youth Red Cross, served as a youth group leader for twelve years, and has worked with hundreds of children. Additionally, in collaboration with the Red Cross in Heidelberg, she initiated the “School Starter Weeks,” a program where preschool children can explore various emergency services professions over three weeks. This project was recognized in 2023 with the “Helping Hand” award from the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Homeland (BMI) in the “Youth Engagement” category. In our conversation, she shares her experiences of volunteering with children.Whether as a group leader or organizing fun, play, and sports events, Irene Hillger, a trained pediatric nurse, is passionate about introducing children and adolescents to first aid. Every Child Has Experienced an Emergency “You can start teaching children to help as early as kindergarten,” Hillger explains. To show children how they can assist in emergencies, she visits kindergartens and schools with the Red Cross, talking with the children. In small workshops, they teach the kids what to do when another child is not feeling well—for instance, not to walk by but to stop and ask what happened. “When you ask, every child has experienced an emergency and has been able to help a little,” Hillger says. Helping, for a kindergarten child, could mean fetching a teacher or comforting a distressed peer with a hug. First Responders of Tomorrow Starting at age six, children in the Heidelberg area have the opportunity to meet weekly in a group to learn more about first aid. They learn about different medical conditions—like heatstroke in summer or hypothermia in winter. They discuss what could happen and how to react in each situation. For example, they might role-play a sports injury as a group. Even in elementary school, children can become “school paramedics” if they wish. With a First Aid Kit and Reflective Vest in the Schoolyard These children are invaluable during the school day. They keep an eye out during recess, equipped with their first aid kits and perhaps a reflective vest, ready to help if another child gets hurt, Hillger explains. As they grow older, their ability to assist in school increases. In secondary schools, “school paramedics” are not only available during breaks but also assist their classmates beyond that, supporting the school’s first aid staff. They are knowledgeable about various issues: from stomachaches to dizziness, nausea, and sports injuries. Some of the children who participated in Irene Hillger’s first aid group still greet her years later. “It always makes me happy—they seem to have good memories of the project,” she says, smiling. Three Weeks of Intensive Blue-Light Careers Training Beyond group activities, her volunteer work with children includes organizing an annual camp with over 100 participants. A special project since 2016 has been the “School Starter Weeks”: for three weeks before starting school, future first graders can explore various emergency services professions and learn how they, too, can help others. This not only brings joy to the children but also eases the burden on parents, who often need to figure out how to fill the five-week gap between the end of kindergarten and the start of school. During the School Starter Weeks, the children are under full-day care by the Red Cross, go on excursions to various rescue organizations, and learn about different jobs and activities through play. More Than Just Band-Aids The program usually starts with a get-to-know-you session at the Red Cross facilities, Hillger shares. Since it’s part of the Red Cross tradition, the children first receive a small first aid course. Here, they learn what first aid is, how to apply bandages, and how to handle wounds. Then, the children visit the ambulance station, where they get a close look at the ambulance and other Red Cross vehicles because, as Hillger emphasizes, “the Red Cross is more than just band-aids.” Often, the program includes a visit to the rescue dog unit, where children learn how the dogs are trained and how they search for people. In one exercise, the children hide in a park and are found by the dogs—a favorite activity. Firefighting, Visiting a Holding Cell, and Boat Rides The children also get to explore other emergency service professions. A trip to the fire department has always been a part of the program, Hillger reports. At the fire station, the children see what a firefighter wears and what’s inside a fire truck. They even get to use a small fire hose—a highlight Hillger says is “always a fantastic activity.” When thinking about emergency services, many children immediately think of the police, so a visit to the police station in Heidelberg is also on the agenda. At the station, a police officer demonstrates the various uniforms used for different occasions. If the holding cell is available, the children can take a look inside—along with, of course, the police car. If time allows, a visit to the Technical Relief Agency (THW) or the German Life Saving Association (DLRG) is also included. At the THW, children might try out the grabber tool, while at the DLRG, they can go for a boat ride, examine diving equipment, and learn how to throw a lifebuoy. Breaks Are Important Too Since the children are transitioning from kindergarten to school, they also need breaks. “When you go on an outing every day for three weeks, you notice they get tired,” Hillger says. That’s why sometimes the group just does crafts at the base station, or the supervisors take the children to the playground, the woods, or a water playground if it’s hot. When Small Thoughts Grow Big What remains from volunteering with children? Do today’s children become tomorrow’s helpers? Hillger immediately recalls cases where school paramedics went on to become professional paramedics. And sometimes, former group members become doctors: “It happens again and again that we plant the seed of an idea, and it grows into a career aspiration,” Hillger says. She acknowledges that they don’t always know what becomes of the children later, as not all those who take up volunteer work end up with the Red Cross—some join the THW, the Maltesers, or other organizations. “But we must recognize that even with the small activities we do, we still have an impact on children and young people,” she emphasizes. Sometimes, they nurture future volunteers, and sometimes it’s just “the helping thought that we spread and support.”

Our guest today is Dirk Schwindenhammer. He was present when the volunteer fire department and the mechanical engineering company Durwen from Plaidt received the “Helping Hand” award in 2018 in the “Support of Volunteering” category. The award, presented annually by the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Homeland (BMI), recognizes various aspects of community safety. We took the opportunity to ask how this came about, what has happened since then, and what other fire departments can learn from this cooperation in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. Mr. Schwindenhammer, you are the fire chief of the volunteer fire department in Plaidt. What does that entail? Dirk Schwindenhammer: To understand that, you need to know that we are part of an association of municipalities in Rhineland-Palatinate, consisting of five towns. The association is responsible for the fire department and maintains a firefighting unit in each town. Each of these units has a “chief,” and I serve in that role for the Plaidt fire department. With 6,000 residents, we are the largest community in the Pellenz region. As chief, you’re also responsible for ensuring enough “personnel” is available. This is particularly challenging for daytime readiness. Why is that? Dirk Schwindenhammer: This is an issue that affects all rescue organizations. In the past, people often lived and worked in the same town. Nowadays, they usually work elsewhere, and the fewer companies based in a town, the more severe the situation. As a result of this development, it is always difficult to have enough people available for emergencies during the day. Yet, I have to ensure our readiness 24/7, 365 days a year—we need to provide effective assistance at the scene within about ten minutes. The municipality has a duty to establish a functioning fire department. So, we had to come up with a way to continue meeting this obligation. And that’s where the idea with Durwen comes into play! Dirk Schwindenhammer: Two of our firefighters worked at Durwen. The company is a medium-sized family business that manufactures and globally distributes attachments for forklifts. The company has grown significantly in recent years and now employs 260 people. My colleagues suggested that there might be other firefighters among the employees, even if they came from other towns, and that we should ask if they would be willing to join us during the day. I thought it was a great idea and asked them to see who might be interested. They came back to me and said that ten people were interested! That’s quite a few at once Dirk Schwindenhammer: Yes, the idea sounded great, but it also impacts the company when ten people suddenly leave to respond to an emergency. So, I developed a concept for how this could work and immediately involved the mayor. The concept naturally included the fact that the municipality would reimburse the company for the wages, as required by law. Then, we invited Klaus Durwen, the company’s managing director, to present the idea. Even though he had no prior connection to the fire department, he was immediately enthusiastic and agreed to participate without any hesitation. We didn’t even have to discuss it much—he was on board right away! And how was the plan implemented within the company? Dirk Schwindenhammer: The company’s employees now train once a month during working hours. The municipality has even stationed a transport vehicle at the company, which the Durwen employees use to travel together to the fire station during emergencies. Interestingly, some people who had no prior connection to the fire department also expressed interest. That was a great development. Of course, they first had to undergo training to participate, but these individuals are still actively involved today. The whole initiative has evolved wonderfully and continues to thrive. There’s also the aspect that young people have been drawn to Durwen because of the fire department and have started their apprenticeships there. So, there are benefits for the company from your perspective? Dirk Schwindenhammer: Of course, there is the administrative and coordination effort that the company has to undertake. However, the fact that people are drawn to Durwen because of its connection to the fire department is far from an isolated incident. Additionally, the company benefits from having trained firefighters, who are also certified first responders—a requirement in every workplace. Would you consider your approach a model for other fire departments, perhaps especially in rural areas? Dirk Schwindenhammer: I would say it depends—it can work, but it’s not guaranteed. We were fortunate that everything aligned so well. The mayor was very supportive of the fire department’s needs, and the municipality covers the costs of training and our transport vehicle, which is not a given. So, fire departments need tailored solutions? Dirk Schwindenhammer: I want to emphasize the importance of taking action and coming up with ideas! We’ve done a lot in recent years, not just for daytime readiness. For example, last year, we established a “Bambini” group for children aged 6 to 10. Previously, they could only join the youth fire department at age 10. By that time, most children already have other hobbies and no longer have time for the fire department. We also developed a proper onboarding process, including an information pack. Additionally, we introduced a buddy system so that newcomers, if they wish, can be guided and supported. You have to come up with something to attract new people to the fire department!

CPR, recovery positions, wound care—most people have taken a first aid course at some point. These courses are mandatory for driver’s licenses and workplace first responders. In Germany, however, over 400,000 people have now completed the EHSH course offered by the Federal Academy for Civil Protection and Civil Defense (BABZ) under the BBK (Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance). This course focuses on one key question: How can different groups in society best prepare themselves, even for situations that go beyond everyday emergencies? EHSH stands for “Training the Public in First Aid with Self-Protection Content,” but the knowledge imparted in these courses goes far beyond that of a basic first aid course. While it’s great if as many people as possible know what to do in acute medical emergencies or accidents, participants in EHSH courses also learn how to effectively implement self-protection measures—and how crucial it is to be personally prepared. Why Is Self-Protection Important? Self-protection means learning how to help yourself and others in extraordinary emergencies—until professional help arrives. This can be critical during events like floods, heavy rainfall, or in cases of civil defense. But wouldn’t it be smarter to provide first aid and then wait for the professionals? Frank Meurer, acting head of BABZ, clarifies: “In large-scale emergencies or disasters, as well as in civil defense scenarios, it can take much longer for state-organized help to arrive than in everyday first aid situations. During this time, people affected are on their own. That’s why it’s essential to learn how to protect yourself and help each other! This includes, above all, personal preparedness.” Tailored Programs for Every Target Group The five major German aid organizations—ASB, DLRG, DRK, JUH, and MHD—offer EHSH courses tailored to different target groups. These groups include children, teenagers, young adults, seniors, caregivers, people with migration backgrounds, business owners, and leaders with a multiplier function. Frank Meurer explains: “We aim to address and train all target groups specifically. With a total of seven different modules, we want to first and foremost reach particularly vulnerable groups within the broader population. Each module focuses on a different aspect. Some modules are suitable for multiple target groups, others are tailored specifically to one group, and some modules can even be combined.” Learning What Matters in Emergencies One of the modules is called “Prevention and Response in Emergencies.” In this module, participants learn the measures that are crucial for personal emergency preparedness. This includes, among other things, stocking up on food, water, and essential medications, packing an emergency kit, or preparing for an extended power outage. Other potential issues related to the home, such as heating failures or appropriate structural security measures, are also discussed. Another key question covered in the course: How do I communicate when the power is out? And how do I access information? This course is aimed at teenagers, young adults, (young) families, and seniors. These same target groups can also take the modules “Medical First Aid” and “Caring for Those in Need of Assistance.” The first module teaches participants how to go beyond “normal” first aid measures, for example, by immobilizing bone and joint injuries or improvising carrying techniques. The latter module provides knowledge on how to offer caregiving support in a personal environment, such as in the neighborhood or with family members. Self-Protection in All Areas of Life The modules “Self-Help for Caregivers,” “People with immigrant backgrounds,” and “Promoting Self-Protection in Businesses, Authorities, and Institutions” are a bit more specialized. As the module names suggest, they are explicitly aimed at caregivers, people with migration backgrounds, and decision-makers and opinion leaders in businesses, authorities, or institutions. Why is this subdivision necessary? Frank Meurer explains: “We want to convey exactly the information people need. For example, those who care for someone must act differently—and prepare differently—in crisis situations. The module for people with migration backgrounds also addresses cultural nuances in Germany—such as the importance of first aid or the handling of personal space and proximity.” Leaders in businesses, organizations, or authorities gain awareness of their role as multipliers and decision-makers in their module. They learn that in their position, they can make a significant contribution to civil protection. They are not only responsible for motivating self-protection among their employees and within their institution but also for society at large. In the EHSH module, they can learn how to minimize risk factors for the surrounding population and contribute to the care of the population in extraordinary emergencies. Additionally, a resilient business ensures the continuity of economic output even during crises, which is also of great importance in a security policy context. Safety for Children For children, there is a special module called “Safety and First Aid for Children.” In this module, children between the ages of 3 and 10 learn in a playful way, over two 45-minute sessions, how to handle dangerous situations and what to do in emergencies. They learn the correct behavior during storms, heavy rain, floods, fires, or extended outages of power or communication. Thomas Mitschke emphasizes: “The goal is not to instill fear—quite the opposite. By providing children with practical tips on how to behave in emergencies, we strengthen their self-confidence. In case of an emergency, they will then know how to help themselves and others.” Know More, Help Better: Sign Up for an EHSH Course Now! No matter how different the modules are, they all have one thing in common: they demonstrate how important it is for people of all ages to engage with the topic of self-protection. The more people in Germany who engage with self-protection content, the easier it will be for the population to respond confidently in a potential crisis. Events like the flood disaster in the Ahr Valley show just how crucial it is to be prepared for all eventualities. Those interested can even be trained as EHSH instructors with a volunteer organization. For more information and contact details for the aid organizations, visit: www.bbk.bund.de/ehsh

Today in an Interview: Zaid Alasady from Neuried near Munich. He is 19 years old and has been an active member of the volunteer fire department in his home town for the last five years. Since this year, he has also been involved in the „ABC-Zug München-Land“. We talk to Zaid about how a coincidence turned his life upside down, how his love of chemistry has led to his second volunteer position – and why he also benefits from his knowledge gained from volunteering in everyday life. Hello Zaid! Let’s start from the beginning: what motivated you to become a volunteer? I got into volunteering through the fire department. The volunteer fire department in Neuried had organized a discovery day with lots of activities for young people to get to know each other. We were allowed to put on firefighting gear and were able to try our hand at various stations. Back then, we were thrown straight into the world of firefighting – fire hoses, putting out fires and, of course, exploring fire engines. That was pretty cool. After all, many children dream of joining the fire department one day! How old were you back then? I was 14 years old when I joined the youth fire department. We learned a lot there through games. For example, there were scavenger hunts with radios through our small town. Or we learned how to use the water-carrying fittings on hot days. From the age of 16, as long as you’ve been there for two years, you’re actually allowed to go out on operations. Can you still remember your first operation? I think it was a housewarming party – something very typical. Someone locks themselves out and has left the stove on. Then we arrive and break down the front door to prevent anything worse from happening. I have to admit: That was very exciting! It’s just a completely different world. Suddenly you’re driving a fire engine for the first time! When you arrive at your destination, you are the friend and helper. In addition to your voluntary work with the volunteer fire department, you also have a second voluntary position. What exactly do you do there? Exactly, I joined the „ABC-Zug München-Land“ this year. It was because of my great interest in chemistry – chemistry was the subject I was most interested in at school. I already knew the ABC-Zug from the fire department, as we work together with them in the event of any chemical problems. So I thought to myself: just write to them! After that, I went there in person to take a look at the whole thing. “ABC” sounds so cute at first, but what exactly does it stand for? “ABC” stands for “nuclear”, “biological” and “chemical” hazards. That may sound dangerous, but at the end of the day, luckily we don’t have that many dangers in Germany. What can happen more frequently, however, is an accident involving a transport vehicle with chemicals, for example. Then we have to be on site and neutralize the chemicals if necessary. When else is the „ABC-Zug“ needed? Another thing I didn’t know at the beginning was that the „ABC-Zug“ is automatically involved in every large-scale fire, for example a building fire – because of the fire gases. These consist of so many different chemicals that the „ABC-Zug“ has to be involved. It supports the fire department and tells them whether the building can be reopened to the public. What do you enjoy most about your voluntary work? Firstly, that you really actively help people. You get out of your normal everyday life and slip into the life of a firefighter – and then you’re just there to help other people. On the other hand, the great thing about volunteering is that you can contribute and develop your personal interests and expertise – like I did in the „ABC-Zug“. And what challenges do you see in your voluntary work? You have to be prepared for the fact that not everything goes according as planned. Sometimes things can go so wrong that you see things on site with the fire department that you don’t want to see. Think of a traffic accident, for example. You always have to be mentally prepared for that. What options are there for dealing with such difficult situations? Volunteering is like a second family. We have what is known as psychosocial emergency care (PSNV) on our side. These are psychologists who are firefighters themselves. And as soon as something really dramatic happens, they are automatically called in. So we have our own specialized experts who provide us with psychological support. We are also actively consulted before an operation. If you don’t want to do something, nobody is forced to do so. Can you also benefit from the knowledge you have gained through volunteering in your everyday life? Yes, very much. That was very strongly the case for me because, admittedly, I was a very introverted person before I started volunteering. I rarely helped others and when I got into a tricky situation, I was always overwhelmed. Now that I’ve become something of an expert, I see the world through different eyes and know how to help people. I have the knowledge to make sensible decisions in difficult situations. Volunteering really makes a huge difference to your personality in a positive way. Is there a specific situation that you can think of? I remember a situation from last summer: an elderly person can’t cope with the heat and trips and falls – straight onto the asphalt with their head. People’s first reaction is just to look and do nothing. With the knowledge I’ve gained from my voluntary work, I immediately run a different program. I don’t look at what’s happening, but analyze the situation directly. Then actively approach the person and apply the processes I learned. Is the person still responsive? Is he or she bleeding? Is a conversation possible? All of this happens so quickly that you almost don’t notice it. As soon as you start to help the person yourself, other people join in. The biggest problem is always the first step. But thanks to volunteering, you’re constantly in the role of helping anyway. That really makes a huge difference in everyday life. What advice would you give to someone who might be hesitant about volunteering?  Just have a look – all civil protection and disaster control organizations offer this! Then you can find out on the spot whether it’s something for you. Another option: go for a drink and a meal with the team and ask questions. You can really feel your way around for as long as you like. Until you really feel that you get on really well with the people and that volunteering is the right thing for you. Do you have specific plans for the future for your voluntary work? Definitely! At some point, I would like to work at management level, for example as a specialist advisor in the NBC platoon or as a group leader in the fire department. I’m currently doing my respiratory protection training with the fire department. The firefighters with this demanding training are the ones who first go into a burning building. With their equipment and training, they are able to rescue people from the fire. Did your 14-year-old self expect that you would experience so much with volunteering? Never in my life, honestly! It was a really big coincidence in my life – and the best one! Because it really turned everything upside down in a positive sense. Looking back, I wouldn’t want to do anything differently. If I were 14 again, I would make the same decision again!