Critical infrastructure: Equipped - even when things get critical

Created: 01/12/2022, 11:05 AM

From: Tobias Gmach, Laura Forster

Three representatives of the critical infrastructure: Sebastain Buhr (left) and Habibullah Sultani from the Starnberg recycling center with AWISTA board member Christoph Wufka.

In times of pandemics, employees make sure that not too many people throw their rubbish into the containers at the same time.

© Andrea Jaksch

Fire brigades, waterworks, waste disposal companies and old people's homes are preparing for the Omikron wave.

Hygiene concepts and separate shifts are intended to avoid corona cases.

And in an emergency, the employees who are still healthy have to take action.

District - In addition to the fire brigades and rescue services in the district (we reported), other important institutions and companies have been preparing for the Omikron wave in the past few weeks. Be it with time-shifted shifts, different groups, home office or vaccination campaigns. Everything so that the infrastructure does not collapse in the event of mass illnesses and quarantine measures.

At the waterworks of the city of Starnberg, only three small teams have been working since the turn of the year. “They avoid each other,” reports plant manager Thomas Rami. If one team fails, the other can take over. The separation of colleagues on the company premises and on external appointments had already occurred in previous corona waves. According to Rami, the four administrative staff have individual offices, the technical equipment for the home office is missing. "But a failure would still be bearable."

Invoices and orders would then be a bit long in coming.

If a broken pipe or a defective pump is not repaired, however, there is a risk that an entire district will be without water.

“When it comes to personnel planning, we are used to having to be ready for action 365 days a year,” says Rami, reassuringly.

And even if everyone fails, take precautions.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the waterworks has had an emergency agreement with the municipal company AWA-Ammersee in Herrsching.

So you would help each other out.

AWA-Ammersee feels well prepared for the Omikron wave

The AWA-Ammersee feels well prepared for the Omikron wave. "We have separated the 48 employees into three teams," says board member Maximilian Bleimaier. And everyone who can work in the home office should stay at home. “The fitters are allowed to take the vehicles home with them and drive from there directly to the place of use.” Should a project with several employees arise, they all have to be tested beforehand and wear a mask while working. "So far we have been spared," says Bleimaier and hopes that it will stay that way in the future. “However, if there is an outbreak, larger projects will have to be postponed. However, the water supply to the communities is always secure, ”assures the board of directors.

The Starnberger See wastewater association changed course at the beginning of the year. Instead of several shifts, the 80 employees were divided into two groups. “It's a kind of emergency plan,” says managing director Dr. Stephanie Rapp. "So we hope that a team is always ready for action." The changeover is a time-consuming and organizational effort, "We have not yet had a corona outbreak," said Rapp.

The municipal company AWISTA sees itself well positioned for the further course of the pandemic.

"We have come through well so far," says board member Christoph Wufka.

25 of the 30 administrative employees are regularly in the home office.

Contacts have long been reduced at the recycling centers.

Traffic lights ensure that not too many people throw their rubbish into the containers at the same time.

Older colleagues who are particularly at risk from the virus are deployed when there is less going on, explains the board of directors.

He was particularly pleased with the in-house vaccination campaign at the beginning of January, in which twelve employees took part, says Wufka.

BRK retirement homes with action plans for emergencies

In the three senior citizens' facilities of the BRK in the district, over 90 percent of the employees are vaccinated. However, this does not protect against outbreaks. “We have various action plans,” says the responsible division manager, Marcus Wicke. With service extensions, vacation changes and support between the homes, operations should continue to run. In addition, every employee in the company is assigned to a specific area. “This way, contacts can be reduced,” says Wicke.

Edith Maruska, head of the facilities of the Rummelsberger Stift in Starnberg and Söcking, handles it similarly.

“If a major outbreak does occur, an emergency plan takes effect.” Twelve-hour shifts and extra working days are then on the agenda.

“The staff can take time off shortly afterwards.” Nevertheless, everyday work is currently a great burden.

lf / gma