The TLF 21/1 was no longer needed in Markt Schwaben.
But in Lebanon it is worth gold.
Markt Schwaben -
The apocalyptic looking images after the devastating explosion in the port of Beirut may still be remembered by some.
At the time, the fire fighters from the Lebanese capital seemed almost helpless in fighting the disaster.
Which is not really surprising, because the material available to her would be available in this country if West German standards were applied, at best well cared for and polished in a museum.
Estimated value at 6111 euros
At least this is the comparison that Christian Springer drew now.
He is not only a sharp-tongued cabaret artist known throughout Bavaria, but not least also the main initiator of an aid organization called “Orienthelfer”.
He, in turn, has set himself the task of inspecting discarded fire engines in Bavaria, but still usable elsewhere, and bringing them to the Middle East;
for example in Lebanon.
What does all of this have to do with Markt Schwaben?
On Friday the volunteer fire brigade of the market town together with Mayor Michael Stolze handed over a TLF 21/1 tank tender to Springer and his helpers;
to be passed on to the comrades in Beirut.
The vehicle entered service in September 1985 and was replaced with a newer model last October.
It has a tank with a volume of 2500 liters on board;
plus a pump that can spray 1600 liters per minute.
Something that could have done a good job fighting a fire in the port of Beirut three months ago.
Because, according to Springer in the morning at the formal handover in the tool shed: “Something like this is worth gold in Lebanon”.
Construction company donates the amount
The TLF 21/1 replaces a vehicle belonging to the Lebanese comrades that was destroyed during the said mission.
Incidentally, Thomas Huber, Member of the Landtag from Grafingen, initiated the deal.
He had read in a WhatsApp group on the Internet that Springer and his friends were urgently looking for relief supplies for the Orient, especially for Lebanon, including fire engines.
Huber asked the district fire inspection whether the appropriate material was available.
They finally found what they were looking for in Markt Schwaben.
Huber and Springer know each other through working together in refugee aid, among other things.
They are even friends with each other, both emphasized yesterday in the presence of a good 20 firefighters.
However, the action did not go off without any hurdles.
“We can't just give away our property,” said Mayor Stolze.
Especially not against the background of the municipality's current financial situation.
Therefore, the municipality arranged for an expert appraisal.
Result: The fire truck still has a current value of 6111 euros.
That wasn't a problem for Huber.
His wife Elli had spontaneously agreed that her company, Franz Riedl GmbH, would raise the necessary amount.
The result was a check for 6500 euros, which was handed over to the market town yesterday;
In return, there was the required vehicle documents.
And the church blessing for the TLF.
The Protestant pastor Karl-Heinz Fuchs made sure of that.
Springer used the auditorium yesterday in "unchristian times" for cabaret artists to not only say thank you.
He also assured that the donated vehicle would continue to fulfill its intended purpose in Beirut.
A humanitarian symbol in a society that is splintering
Both Springer and Huber want the deal that has now been completed to be understood as an act of humanity.
As a cabaret artist, according to Springer, one is rather suspected of being located in the left-wing political spectrum.
If a CSU man and a cabaret artist worked together here, this should definitely be understood as a signal to a society that is currently in danger of tearing apart.
Springer added that it was an incredibly strong sign for him when Bavarian firefighters, when talking about their Muslim professional colleagues, naturally spoke of “comrades”.
As a sign of this connectedness, Stolze gave a few souvenirs with me on the way;
provided with the coat of arms of the market town.
And Christian Springer immediately assured me that at some point the fire brigade in Schwaben would be able to report directly what had become of their TLF 21/1.
Internet
www.orienthelfer.de
www.ffwmarktschwaben.de
