Contacts minimized even before Omikron

Created: 12/26/2021, 6:32 PM

By: Nicole Kalenda

The Planegger comrades were trained in the new fire engines in small groups.

Due to the pandemic, commander Martin Heizer was not yet able to invite to the vehicle inauguration.

© Dagmar Rutt

Omikron brings the critical infrastructure back into focus.

In order to ensure operational readiness, fire brigades should review their pandemic plans.

Nothing will change for the Planegg volunteer fire brigade.

"We have already implemented the measures," says Commander Martin Heizer.

Planegg -

Because the Omikron variant of the coronavirus is more contagious than all previous ones and can at the same time undermine the existing immune protection, it infects significantly more people in a very short time.

The Covid-19 Expert Council of the new federal government speaks of an "explosive spread".

According to the current regulations, not only those infected with Omikron must be in quarantine for 14 days, but also everyone who has had contact with them.

Non-operational shutdown

“All we can do is try to avoid contact with one another so that everyone doesn't fail for two weeks,” says Heizer. One vehicle crew can be compensated, but not ten. With the announcement of the disaster in Bavaria on November 11th, the Planegger Wehr shut down the non-operational service again. In any case, face-to-face events did not take place, and the 3G rule already applied during missions. Those who are not vaccinated must submit a test certificate every day. Random tests are also carried out after use.

In November, there was again the fact that exercises are only held online, as well as reduced moving out.

Normally, for smaller operations such as opening an apartment, an emergency fire-fighting group vehicle (HLF) drives out of the tool sheds in Planegg and Martinsried, along with the turntable ladder.

Now only one HLF is approaching with a smaller crew.

The rest of the comrades wait in front of the tool sheds in the open air with a distance and an FFP2 mask to see if reinforcements are needed.

Restrictions for almost two years

Since the beginning of the corona pandemic at the beginning of 2020, the fire brigades have been confronted with restrictions.

Practical training sessions in Planegg were canceled as early as the first lockdown.

The fire brigade outing, which should go to Bamberg in spring 2020, has now been postponed to 2022.

"We hope that it can take place," says Heizer.

Most of the time the camaraderie lay idle, sitting together and talking after the exercises was not possible.

Last summer, however, the fire brigade was able to practice under almost normal circumstances, also because over 90 percent of the comrades were vaccinated.

Almost all of them should have been boosted by now, estimates Heizer.

At an extra vaccination appointment in November in the Planegger fire station for the emergency services from the area, 48 members of the Planegger Wehr were given the refresher.

A general meeting in attendance was also possible this year.

After the 2020 in writing, the firefighters came together last July in one of the triple gymnasiums of the Feodor-Lynen-Gymnasium, with a 3G rule, mask and two meters distance between the chairs.

Instead of the traditional, sumptuous snack, which otherwise turns the gathering into a small party, there were packed lunches with two sandwiches to eat at the seat.

"Personal togetherness has suffered"

"Personal togetherness has already suffered," says Heizer of the pandemic.

“That saps your motivation.

Fortunately, we haven't lost anyone yet. ”Because comrades are also friends with each other, it is recommended to hold back privately in order to avoid the spread of the coronavirus among the active.

Not only that, everything has become more complex.

Three new HLFs were delivered in mid-2020.

They have been in use since the end of 2020.

The vehicle training took place in small groups of nine participants plus an instructor.

Usually 40 to 50 members come together for such occasions.

120 exercises were held over the course of the months, the groups were not allowed to mix during the training, "to avoid cross-contamination," as Heizer says.

The vehicles have not yet been consecrated.

That'll have to wait until after the pandemic.

After almost two years with the epidemic, the commandant is worn out.

“I don't understand that many people still don't get vaccinated,” says Heizer.

He's promoting immunization.

At the booster appointment in November, a comrade was there who had his first injection.