Werner Seifert, an institution with the Dachau Volunteer Fire Brigade, has now officially ended his service after 48 years.
Dachau - His last alarm sounded shortly before 2 p.m., then Werner Seifert moved away from the tool shed with the old aerial ladder, the DL 25, through a trellis of comrades and past the emergency vehicles provided, including a salute from the pyrotechnic bag of tricks usually serve for realistic exercises.
The farewell party had to be canceled due to the current situation, only the fire brigade leadership and full-time colleagues said goodbye to Werner Seifert in a small group.
Werner Seifert joined the Dachau volunteer fire brigade in 1972, in 1999 he switched from the private sector to the fire brigade and became a full-time equipment manager. In the 48 years he drove several thousand missions.
His main area of responsibility was preventive fire protection. He checked the planning of the fire alarm systems and accepted them after completion, but he was also used in all other work areas. He was a trained group leader, instructor, referee for the acceptance of the achievement badge, and "there was almost no course at the state fire brigade schools, which Werner did not attend in his career," said commandant Thomas Hüller at the farewell.
As a machine operator for fire trucks and aerial ladders, he drove all emergency vehicles, but he was particularly impressed by the "old aerial ladder", the DL 25, built in 1959. Very few master the “work behind the wheel” of this classic car like him. Driving without power steering or steering assistance, but switching at the correct speed with double-declutching and intermediate clutches, with a shift path far into the passenger seat, that is a special challenge. On his last assignment, however, he had a comrade drive him.
"We wish Werner all the best for his retirement, the gray panthers are already looking forward to a new member," said Chairman Stefan Fichtl as parting. Seifert thanked him with emotion: "Everything" in his work was "always an experience". Because: "Every application brings something new!"
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