The voyage worked, the old fire truck from the Markt Schwaben fire brigade arrived safely in Lebanon.
And already had the first use.
Markt Schwaben / Tripoli - The tank tender vehicle (TLF) 21/1 from Markt Schwaben has been used for the first time in Lebanon: The professional fire brigade in Tripoli, the second largest city in the country, used it to fight field fires.
The fire brigade urgently needed a new fire engine - and now thanks to the cabaret artist Christian Springer and his association they got Orienthelfer.
Markt Schwaben: Discarded vehicle for Lebanon
In October 2020 Springer received the discarded, but still fully operational and well-preserved vehicle from the Markt Schwaben volunteer fire brigade.
Donated by Elli Huber and her company Franz Riedl GmbH, who replaced the car.
The current value of the vehicle is 6111 euros, the company donated 6500 euros.
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First use in field fires.
© Private
The TLF 21/1 recently arrived in Lebanon by ship.
Christian Springer himself accompanied the arrival and handed over the car.
Now he has emailed our editorial team: “Dear fire brigade Markt Schwaben, I have good news: Your car has landed in the best of hands.
The colleagues had tears in their eyes and said: 'We have never had a vehicle like this.
It is great!'"
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Christian Springer (center) visits the Tripoli professional fire brigade.
© Private
The TLF 21/1 was used for the first time to extinguish fires in fields.
"The drought not only caused serious forest fires in Lebanon, the fires also spread to the fields," reports Springer.
Orienthelfer association founded ten years ago
The Munich cabaret artist founded the non-profit organization Orienthelfer in 2012, which has the following mission: “Orienthelfer eV provides help on site.
Our educational projects and training measures in the Syrian crisis promote positive prospects for work, equality and peace for young people in a flexible, fast and sustainable manner.
Additional support projects in the rescue service alleviate acute emergencies. "
The Orienthelfer association is always on the lookout for discarded fire engines that can still be used in the Middle East, yes, even more: are urgently needed.
The connection between the district fire inspection Ebersberg, the fire brigade Markt Schwaben and Christian Springer came about through contacts of the CSU member of the state parliament Thomas Huber from Grafing (and his wife Elli Huber).
He came to Markt Schwaben in October to receive the car and the donation check.
Markt Schwaben: Vehicle in service since 1985
From September 1985 the vehicle was in service with the Markt Schwaben volunteer fire brigade for about 35 years and was then exchanged for a newer model.
The water tank on board has a volume of 2500 liters, the pump can spray 1600 liters of water per minute.
“Something like this is worth gold in Lebanon,” said Christian Springer at the handover in October.
The municipality was not allowed to give away the vehicle
Because the vehicle was owned by the market town of Markt Schwaben, it couldn't simply be given away, explained Mayor Michael Stolze at the time: “We can't just do that.” Especially not in view of the fact that the market town is financially tight.
The administration had the current value of the vehicle estimated by an appraiser, the result being the amount of 6111 euros.
Information about the association: www.orienthelfer.de
By the way: Everything from the region is now also available in our new, regular Ebersberg newsletter.