As of: February 18, 2024, 7:00 p.m
By: Sabine Hermsdorf-Hiss
Comments
Press
Split
Large contingent for a farewell: Wolfgang Schleibinger and his wife Evi were brought to the celebration by a complete fire brigade - including deputy commander Sebastian Höpfner.
© sabine hermsdorf-hiss
Wolfgang Schleibinger has been a member of the Wolfratshausen fire department for 50 years.
The 65-year-old is now retiring from the fire department.
His comrades saw him off with a large contingent.
Wolfratshausen – Many people noticed the large contingent.
Some Wolfratshausers watched the entourage from the window.
Others went out onto their balconies when a full fire brigade pulled up - with a turntable ladder, a crew car and a fire engine.
The volunteers did not come to an assignment where they had to help.
After 50 years he is a member of Wolfratshausen: Wolfgang Schleibinger is now retiring from the fire service
Instead, they picked up someone who had helped for decades: Wolfgang Schleibinger.
The Wolfratshauser has been a member of the fire department for 50 years; he was a machinist trainer and, until a few years ago, a full-time equipment supervisor.
He recently retired from the fire department - he switched to passive service.
The 65-year-old joined the volunteer rescuers in 1974.
“Günter Berchtold had already tried to persuade me to join.
But I wanted to look for an apprenticeship first,” he remembers.
After that, he agreed, he wanted to come in.
Schleibinger trained as an electrical mechanic at the Deutsche Bundespost – and kept his promise.
When he was accepted, he signed the membership application and joined the recently founded youth group under Hans Fagner Jr.
at.
A storage and recreation shed at the train station was completely destroyed in 1976 - it was one of the young firefighter's first missions.
© Repro: sh
The Wolfratshauser can still remember one of the first operations: “The fire at a scrap dealer at the train station in July 1976.” The situation that the emergency services found was anything but good: a shed was ablaze.
It served as a warehouse and lounge.
“Gas bottles were also stored there,” said the long-time firefighter.
There were several explosions.
Due to the immense pressure wave, the windows in the surrounding area burst.
The Wolfratshauser can still remember his first fire brigade operations well
A power line was also damaged.
The burning boards also hit the emergency vehicles.
“We had to take care of our own cars first.” There were two wagons on the tracks next to the shed that were also hit by the flying debris.
They caught fire.
An excavator also burned.
“The cause was believed to be arson.”
The current chief extinguisher has been reminded of this mission again and again over the decades: A fragment of one of the exploded oxygen bottles hangs in the vehicle hall of the fire department building - as a reminder of the large-scale operation.
(Our Wolfratshausen-Geretsried newsletter regularly informs you about all important stories from your region. Sign up here.)
In May 1982, Schleibinger's connection to his fire department became even closer.
The Wolfratshauser took on an important position in the armed forces.
“The offer came to take over the position of equipment manager.” He agreed.
Schleibinger had previously signed up as a soldier for two years and then worked again at the Federal Postal Service.
In his private life, Schleibinger found great happiness with his Evi.
A year after meeting, the couple moved in together in the apartment above the fire station.
The young woman had a lot of understanding for her partner's work and volunteer work.
“Back then I was involved with the Red Cross.
I knew from the start what I was getting myself into.”
Wolfgang Schleiblinger is the fire chief's chief extinguisher.
© HL/Archive
The couple relies on teamwork: “When Wolfgang got ready when the alarm went off, I opened the gates so that the first vehicles could drive off to the scene as quickly as possible.”
When Wolfgang got ready when the alarm went off, I opened the gates so that the first vehicles could drive to the scene as quickly as possible.
Wife Evi Schleiblinger
Over the years, Wolfgang Schleibinger has experienced a lot.
And see many committed people come and go.
He has seen several changes in commanders: Sebastian Mair, Hans Sewald, Herbert Schölderle, Robert Woppowa, Andreas Spohn and Andreas Bauer currently leads the active team.
Wolfratshauser is retiring from the fire service: his passion for the Unimog he purchased remained constant
But one thing has always remained constant for Schleibinger: his passion for the Unimog, which he purchased in 1982.
“I know every screw on him.” When his comrades picked him up to celebrate his commitment, the Wolfratshauser didn’t miss the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the Mercedes-Benz vehicle again and drive to the celebration .
Schleibinger gave up his job as equipment supervisor in 2020.
He uses his free time for his hobbies, for which he now has much more time: he enjoys riding his motorcycle and doing large puzzles.
And of course he enjoys doing things with his Evi.
And Schleibinger isn't completely gone either.
He will continue to be loyal to the fire department association.
“It’s a matter of honor.”
sh
You can read the latest news from the Wolfratshausen/Geretsried region here.