Active on a voluntary basis for the protection of the population at the THW
Created: 01/16/2023, 09:55 am
By: Dieter Metzler
The Brucker THW provides emergency humanitarian aid locally and internationally.
The local representative Philipp Donath is proud of the good atmosphere in his local branch.
© dm
From the first minute that Philipp Donath came into contact with the technical relief organization in Fürstenfeldbruck, he was enthusiastic.
Having joined at the age of 17, the 33-year-old has meanwhile been re-elected as local representative for the third time.
He is the heart and soul of the local chapter.
Fürstenfeldbruck – A school friend took him to the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) for the first time in 2006.
The then 17-year-old Philipp Donath was quickly enthusiastic and, above all, convinced of what he found on the THW premises in the Brucker Hasenheide.
The high school student didn't have to think long and signed the declaration of membership at the local association.
Since then, the 33-year-old Brucker has not only been an honorary member, but also a committed THW volunteer who puts his heart and soul into serving the aid organization.
Highly motivated, Donath, who works in civilian life for a large automobile manufacturer in Munich, quickly rose to become a manager at Brucker THW.
"I was very well received as a newcomer," he recalls.
Enthusiastic about the range of applications and technology
In addition to the camaraderie, he was fascinated by the wide range of applications and the technology.
Immediately after the basic training, he completed various other courses, says Donath.
As early as 2009, just three years later, Brucker was put in charge of the “Infrastructure Specialist Group”.
The team is deployed when there is a danger from electricity, water or gas.
His leadership qualities were recognized by everyone and so the managers in the local branch placed their trust in the young Donath in 2013 when the long-standing THW local representative Franz Bretz no longer ran for reasons of age.
They elected Donath to head the local chapter.
Last September, the 33-year-old began his third term in office.
"As a local representative, you not only lead the local association, but also represent the THW on site," says Donath.
“You represent the interests and promote the reputation of the THW.
You are the first point of contact for the district office and other authorities as well as for other aid organizations.” He does a total of 800 to 1000 hours of voluntary work a year.
The THW is actually not an association in the conventional sense.
"We are a federal institution," explains 33-year-old Donath.
"We are responsible for civil protection."
THW helps locally and internationally
Equipped with special equipment and a high level of technical knowledge, the THW not only provides immediate humanitarian aid on site, but also often internationally.
"In the recent past we had to overcome many crises," reports Donath.
For example, the exploration and upgrading of possible emergency shelters for refugees.
"We usually support the fire brigade and other aid organizations in the event of accidents or natural disasters," says Donath.
"But we never take over the command of the operation through the others, only through our own emergency services." The local representative mentions that the THW can never be requested by private individuals, but only by authorities and other aid organizations.
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Donath describes the annual “Girls Day” as an affair of the heart.
“We are committed to working with young people,” he says.
We are always looking for new members and helpers.
For Donath, the best thing about the 16 years at THW is the interpersonal encounters, both in the team and with the population.
And he is proud of his local association.
"Our climate is right and I can rely on everyone," says Donath.
Ropes, shovels, and clothing were the local's first gear
In October 1952 the first meeting of the THW FFB was held in what was then the Bichlerbräu in the main street.
Lorenz Kiener was the first local representative of the THW FFB.
The first accommodation was a 16 square meter room in the old slaughterhouse on the Lände.
The equipment included ropes, an emergency generator, shovels and of course clothing.
In 1955 a 13-man rowing boat was added.
In 1960 the local branch moved.
The THW was given new rooms in the Fürstenfeld monastery by the city.
In a major operation in September 1963, six men worked over 2500 hours when they provided on-site support during the earthquake in Skopje, in what was then Yugoslavia.
In 1966 the THW moved again to the premises of the brewery in the Gerblkeller.
After the THW helped the Starnberg comrades in blowing up the decrepit chimney of the Andechs brewery in 1967 and was equipped with the first vehicles in 1968, the local section got its first rescue train.
In 1972 the next and so far last move took place: Since then the THW location Am Hardtanger has been in Hasenheide.
In 1992 a new building was opened with a separate garage wing.
The local association currently has a technical team with a rescue group, as well as a specialist group for emergency supply/repair and a specialist group for infrastructure.
dm
PROFILE - Foundation: 1952;
Members: 71 emergency services, including 10 young people and 13 women;
Contribution: Members pay no contribution;
Contact: Philipp Donath, local chairman;
Internet: www.ov-fuerstenfeldbruck.thw.de
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You can find more current news from the district of Fürstenfeldbruck at Merkur.de/Fürstenfeldbruck.
