As of: February 13, 2024, 9:00 p.m
By: Bernhard Jepsen
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Rüdiger Sobotta (2nd from right) presented Anton Schöttl (4th from right) with the Great Decoration of Honor on behalf of the Bavarian Ministry of the Interior.
Also in the picture are (from left) Sebastian Boscolo (commander), Karl Neuner (district fire chief), Markus Pawlowski (board member of the Polling Fire Department), Markus Deutschenbaur (district fire inspector) and Ludwig Fernsemmer (district fire inspector).
© Jepsen
Well over 1000 missions, 603 of them as an operations manager, plus countless exercises and further training: Anton Schöttl can show an impressive record after 50 years of active service with the volunteer fire department.
The 64-year-old honorary commander of the Pollingen fire department has now been awarded the Great Decoration of Honor.
Polling
– When you list the grandees of the fire service scene in the district, you cannot ignore one name: Anton Schöttl.
The Pollingen master wood turner now has 50 years of active service with the volunteer fire department under his belt.
This makes him only the fourth representative in the district fire inspection's catchment area to reach this anniversary mark.
Schöttl, who was appointed honorary commander of the Pollinger Fire Department in 2019, enjoys great respect and recognition among his comrades and long-time companions.
An indication of this: Although he was handicapped by a ruptured Achilles tendon, district fire inspector Rüdiger Sobotta insisted on presenting Schöttl with the Grand Medal of Honor for 50 years of active service in the volunteer fire department at a small ceremony in the Pollinger fire station on behalf of the Bavarian Ministry of the Interior.
Schöttl and the fire department are not only a close relationship emotionally, but also spatially.
His workshop and home are right across from the Pollinger fire station on Griesbreitlweg.
Schöttl moved to the monastery village in 1989.
The Weilheim native began his fire service career in the district town.
Even as an eleven-year-old schoolboy, he watched almost every fire drill.
Little Anton was already allowed to ride in the fire engines on mobile rides.
When the Weilheim fire department finally initiated an advertising campaign to found a youth group in 1973, Schöttl was the first to register.
A year later, in September 1974, things got serious: Schöttl, not yet 15 years old, went on his first mission.
“Car fire in Tankenrain,” the alert said.
Once on site, however, the emergency services saw a different, much worse picture.
A motorcyclist crashed head-on into a car in the infamous Tankenrainer curve.
The motorcycle's plastic tank immediately caught fire - as did the driver.
“It was a burning torch,” remembers Schöttl.
The melting full-face helmet had eaten into the chin and neck area.
The biker died on the way to the hospital.
Anton Schöttl can still remember clearly: It was September 1, 1974 when he went to Tankenrain for his first fire service mission.
Schöttl (2nd from right) held the burnt motorcycle of the accident victim, who was thrown into the ditch.
© Repro: Jepsen
Motorcyclist crashes into car
Psychological follow-up to the missions was not yet an issue at that time.
But Schöttl wouldn't have needed it in this specific case: “Strangely enough, it didn't bother me psychologically.
Apparently I was already toughened up.” Schöttl experienced the worst deployment of his fire service career just five years later.
Four young people died in a traffic accident on the B2 north of Lake Dietlhofer after visiting the Oktoberfest.
“That took me away.
“I was still a young guy back then,” remembers Schöttl: “During missions, you’re full of adrenaline and you function.
The psychological processing always comes later.” Large fires on agricultural properties also stuck with him - as did the series of arsonists at the end of the 1980s.
Of course, Schöttl also remembers “nice missions” – “for example, when you were able to get people out of a house fire using respiratory protection and save their lives.” “Helping in an emergency situation” was always the motivation for Schöttl's voluntary work: “That is the basic idea – and that’s what you enjoy doing.” Good camaraderie was also always important to Schöttl.
During his 25 years as commander, he said he maintained a “cooperative, objective leadership style”: “I never gave up on the big boss.” Firefighting only works in a community.
A flowing transition
Schöttl also received support from his family – especially his wife: “She knew what she was getting into.
When I met her, I was already in the fire department,” says Schöttl with a smile.
Even at celebrations for his own birthday, private life was often restricted: “When the Pfeiferl left, I moved out - and my wife sat alone with the guests.” For Schöttl, however, active fire service will soon be over - out of necessity.
He will soon reach the age limit of 65 years.
Isn't there a feeling of sadness in that?
“Actually less,” explains Schöttl: “For me it’s a smooth transition.
I live directly opposite the fire department – and I’ll be able to see everything there in the future too.”
Schöttl sees the Pollinger Weir as being well positioned for the future “because it is very versatile”.
It is important to keep recruiting young people.
Schöttl has also made his contribution in this regard.
As commander, he led many elementary school classes through the fire station: “One boy was so curious and enthusiastic that he said: You can write me down right now.
When I was 14, I joined the fire department.” The anecdote is somehow reminiscent of the young Anton Schöttl.