140 invited guests, a champagne reception and the award of a rare honorary title: To mark the official farewell to long-term on-call manager Markus Probst (47), the BRK Holzkirchen staged a big cinema in the rescue station.
Holzkirchen -
successor Elisabeth Proisl had rounded up many of her predecessor's companions.
Markus Probst not only welcomed "his" Holzkirchen team, but also many BRK officials from the district.
In a festive setting, what the pandemic requirements did not allow at the official handover in March was made up for.
"We had organized a large number of tables," says Proisl, "of course, the Corona requirements were all adhered to."
A text on the handover in March can be found here.
The high point of the official part was the appointment of Probst as honorary standby leader.
“One of his duties is to award the annual clusters and to give special honors in the willingness,” says Proisl.
Several speakers praised the extraordinary commitment of the 47-year-old, including Mayor Christoph Schmid.
Probst had used his professional experience as a logistics expert to ensure that he was always ready to organize a lot of material for little money.
He was the driving force behind the establishment of a youth group and strengthened the blood donation service.
Structurally, the willingness benefited from Probst's leadership qualities.
"He encouraged young people, let them do training, but also demanded performance," says his successor.
Probst had already joined the BRK at the age of ten, and in 2013 he took over the management of the Holzkirchen standby from Franz Liebl.
After eight years at the top, the native of Holzkirchen retired this year and wanted to contribute as a normal member in the future.
Now he has to do that as an honorary standby officer.
In the following interview, the 47-year-old looks back on his time as an on-call manager.
Mr. Probst, you are considered a planner and organizer who always keeps a cool head. When you said goodbye, however, you had tears in your eyes. Were you surprised to be overwhelmed by emotions?
Markus Probst:
I wasn't prepared for that.
I knew I was going to say goodbye.
But then there is my whole team, many companions, all of whom I get to see personally after more than a year of corona break.
And then honorary stand-by, that has never happened in Holzkirchen, phew.
That's right, I'm a planner, I don't like surprises.
But it was wonderful because I was really very emotionally touched.
You took over the readiness with 100 members, after eight years with 160 members handed over. How did you succeed in getting so many people into volunteer work?
Markus Probst:
The key is youth work.
It was important to me to offer the offspring at the BRK an interesting environment, with training and camaraderie.
That's why we built the youth room in the basement.
It cost a lot of money, but that was important.
The youth group has only existed since 2018. How do you convince adults to sacrifice free time for the BRK?
Markus Probst:
Many new residents move to Holzkirchen every year.
There are many who want to get involved.
If you approach them, speak to them, then they feel welcome.
And when you see: those at the BRK have good equipment, a lot of know-how, that's where I get training, there is something for everyone, from the first responder service to organizing blood donations to more technical and organizational jobs - then integrated the new additions very quickly.
We have many fields of application, there is something for everyone.
What would you consider the greatest achievement of your eight-year tenure?
Markus Probst:
The team works, sticks together, I was never disappointed.
And again I'm doing youth work.
Yes, I am proud that there is another BRK youth in Holzkirchen.
Without the offspring, we could lock up in 20 years.
Young and old have to enjoy working together.
What use are the greatest devices if people don't like to grab hold of it?
Your hardest hour?
Markus Probst:
Hardest hour?
The snow disaster at the beginning of 2019 was by far the most demanding. From Holzkirchen we provided the emergency services in the district with food.
For two weeks I slept on a cot in the emergency room's emergency room.
Four hours of sleep, then it went on.
But I don't want to miss the time, I took a lot with me from these days.
What do you take away from two weeks of constant stress?
Markus Probst:
The joy of what our BRK can achieve with its structures within a very short time.
Organizing and distributing 5000 sausage rolls every day, that doesn't sound very big.
But that requires people who want to get involved, who want to make a difference.
When you said goodbye, you were given an old BRK uniform so that you could move out in the "Anno dazumal" troops. BRK doctor Thomas Verhasselt recommended that you lose ten kilos at the handover so that the good piece does not burst at the seams. Difficult task?
Markus Probst:
Difficult, but doable.
Thomas is right, I have to slim down.
My favorite vehicle is the old Unimog.
If I want to get up there safely, at least ten kilos have to be removed.
