Hechendorf fire brigade firmly in Grütze-Hand

Created: 07/30/2022 15:03

The Hechendorf firefighters (from left): Alexander von Dehn (45 years of service), Maxine Benoist (firefighter), Maximilian Grütze (20 years of service), Lukas Ruhdorfer (2nd Commander), Florian Feigl (Fire Fighter), Benjamin Grütze (1st Commander ), Maximilian Schmid (2nd chairman), Sebastian Grütze (1st chairman), Ulrich Blecha (treasurer), Beate Blecha (secretary), Florian Ruhdorfer (10 years of service), Laura Wöll (chief firefighter), Emmy Nakamura (assessor), Martin Koppold (25 years of service), Kilian Botz (senior firefighter), Elena Lehner (senior firefighter), Benedikt Dimbath (senior firefighter) and Katharina Wöll (senior firefighter).

© Dagmar Rutt

An era came to an end for the Hechendorf fire brigade on Thursday.

Alexander von Dehn (61) was its first chairman for 30 years.

Now he deliberately resigned his office, making room for future generations.

Hechendorf

- "It's not difficult for me, now is the time to pass the office on to younger people.

Times and views have changed," said outgoing chairman Alexander von Dehn at the annual general meeting of the Hechendorf fire brigade on Thursday evening in the well-attended equipment house.

In addition to the reports of the board of directors, new elections were also on the agenda.

The Hechendorf fire brigade was officially founded in 1873 and will be celebrating its 150th anniversary next year.

The first historical records of fire-fighting operations by voluntary farmers and craftsmen already existed in 1791, von Dehn said in his closing speech and then seemed touched when he took stock: "I had a very nice time as the first chairman, and I think so , also with the other members of the board of directors, to have moved a lot and achieved a lot in the interests of the association.

Von Dehn, who after around 45 years of service wants to remain loyal to the active team as the senior, also expressed criticism.

Namely those "who constantly complain, but are far from taking responsibility".

With a certain concern, he expressed his concern about the steadily declining commitment to the club and at the same time emphasized the value of "comradeship, openness, harmony and cohesion".

Von Dehn would have liked to see his son Maximilian von Dehn (25) as his successor, although he deliberately did not apply for the first chairmanship out of comradeship with Sebastian Grütze (37).

And so Grütze, previously the second chairman, was elected almost unanimously to the first board.

"I'm aware of the responsibility for the club and I'm looking forward to many great years," he explained.

Shortly thereafter, his brother Benjamin Grütze (32) was confirmed as the first commander.

Side by side, the brothers not only work in fire department matters.

They work for the same company.

The office of second chairman went to Maximilian Schmid (32), who prevailed against Maximilian von Dehn with 28 votes.

The only 17-year-old Emmy Nakamura became an assessor.

"I'm surprised, but I think it's great.

I used to be a youth leader, but I didn't have the right to vote.

Now the young people are represented on the board and have voting rights," said the student.

Lukas Ruhdorfer became the second commander, Uli Blecha is the treasurer and Beate Blecha is the secretary.

In view of only 35 missions, the past year was comparatively quiet, due to the pandemic, club life was put on hold at times.

The positive personnel development was all the more gratifying.

The military had 50 active members plus twelve young people, three of whom went into active service this year.

Youth manager Anton Kukuk was delighted with the commitment of his four girls and six boys, who actively participated in the sale of Christmas trees and the town festival and attended many exercises.

Alexander von Dehn was honored for 45 years and Martin Koppold for 25 years of service.

Benjamin and Maximilian Grütze, Maximilian Schmid and Torsten Schlenk were honored for 20 years of service.

Nilda Frangos