Last updated: 16.01.2024, 11:01 a.m.
By: Manuela Schauer
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Many shook hands: Prime Minister Markus Söder and his wife Karin Baumüller-Söder at the New Year's reception. © Felix Hörhager
It is the reward for their efforts: comrades of the Bad Bayersoier fire brigade and other emergency services were allowed to take part in the New Year's reception of Prime Minister Markus Söder. An appreciation for the self-sacrificing work after the hail disaster.
Bad Bayersoien/Munich – The wardrobe: chic. Category: Jacket and bow tie, says Franz Niggl and laughs. The first commander of the Bad Bayersoier fire brigade and his team were spared the fine thread. While their companions really dressed up, the comrades simply slipped into the clothes in which they feel very comfortable anyway. In her firefighter uniform. "So we were neatly dressed right away." Definitely suitable for the occasion. The fire brigade accepted a special invitation on Friday – and took part in the New Year's reception of Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU).
For the first time since the Corona pandemic, around 1800 guests, including athletes, actors, politicians and prominent representatives from culture, business and religion, arrived at the highlight of social life in the Free State of Bavaria at the magnificent Munich Residence. And people who volunteer to serve others. "It's just very nice to see so many volunteers again," said the father of the country in a TV interview.
Souvenir photo: The emergency services with Markus Söder and his wife Karin Baumüller-Söder. © Joerg Koch
It was not the first time he had seen many a face from the Ammer Valley and the district. After the hail disaster last August, Söder had visited the devastated place. At the time, he promised financial support, thanked the numerous emergency services of all aid organizations and got an idea of the damage for himself during a walk.
Hail disaster in Bad Bayersoien: Commander praises performance of all emergency services
A few months later, in December, the invitation fluttered to the Garmisch-Partenkirchen district office that 22 emergency personnel from the local as well as the hard-hit region from Bad Tölz/Wolfratshausen would be welcome guests. A small Christmas gift from Bavaria's top to the grassroots, so to speak. As a result, there were discussions within the district fire inspectorate about who the chosen ones would be. The selection, Niggl emphasizes, "is not fair anyway". So it was decided to let eleven comrades of the Soier Wehr enjoy it. As district fire chief, Niggl himself represented the district fire inspectorate. The remaining eleven places were given to representatives of other aid organisations such as the Mountain Rescue Service, the Federal Agency for Technical Relief or the Red Cross as well as the district office. Representative of those who worked tirelessly after the hailstorm, including the many craftsmen. Bayersoien's commander still has the greatest respect for all of them today. "Hats off," he emphasizes.
After the storm, Markus Söder gets an idea of the damage that has occurred in Bad Bayersoien. © herald
The echo from Munich pleases those involved. "That was a nice appreciation," Niggl emphasizes. Although the event is different from what you might imagine. Chatting with Söder? Not a chance. The event is completely timed. The Prime Minister and his wife Karin Baumüller-Söder welcomed their guests for hours. During the parade – "we first had to google what that is" – Niggl and the group finally met Bavaria's head of government briefly. Wishing a "happy new year", shaking hands, taking a photo – that's it. A rather fast and stiff number.
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It didn't matter. The gesture counted. Then the emergency services were served appetizers and drinks as well as a musical interlude by pop singer Lou Bega ("Mambo No. 5"). They also experienced celebrities up close. Actress Jutta Speidel or Söder's deputy Hubert Aiwanger (Free Voters), for example.
Receptions like this "don't happen every day," says Niggl. They are not the reason why he and the other volunteers do their work. "But," emphasizes the commander, "it was a very nice evening for everyone."