Stadtwerke Gießen and the district fire brigade association have been working closely together for many years. On Tuesday, 12 August, they agreed the cooperation in writing - in a sponsorship agreement for the next five years.
In the Central Hesse region, hundreds of volunteers are committed to putting out fires and rescuing people from emergencies. "This valuable commitment of the volunteer fire brigades in the district of Giessen cannot be honoured often enough and to a sufficient extent," emphasises Ina Weller, company spokesperson for Stadtwerke Giessen (SGW). "For precisely this reason, we have been supporting the district fire brigade association (KFV) and all volunteer firefighters in their work for a long time. Whenever possible, we want to make a contribution."
One example: together with the KFV, SWG organises the annual "Fire brigade of the future" ideas competition. With their projects, the participants prove their innovative strength and creativity time and time again. "A competition that has become such a great success thanks to good cooperation. We are delighted to have a partner who is committed to the work of the fire services," emphasises Michael Weber, Chairman of the KFV.
Support for the future
The district fire service association and SWG want to continue to join forces in the future. This was set out in a sponsorship agreement for the next five years on Tuesday 12 August. The signing took place on the premises of the Lindenstruth volunteer fire brigade. The volunteer fire brigade will host the district fire brigade day in 2015. "Organising this major event will certainly be a challenge. All the better that we can count on Stadtwerke Giessen to help us," explained Gerhard Albach, Chairman of the Lindenstruth Volunteer Fire Brigade Association.
Among other things, the contract stipulates that SWG will be involved in campaigns and events such as the district fire brigade day or association meetings. The joint communication workshop in the SWG main building will also be continued. "We continue to help in various fields and would like to remain fully involved in the future - this goes far beyond a purely financial contribution," emphasised Stephanie Orlik, responsible for marketing services and sponsorship at SWG.
Appreciation and strength
The most important component of the agreement concluded is that the "Fire brigade of the future" project will be continued in the coming years. SWG will also continue to support the district fire brigade association with advertising on its city buses and at events with the fire demonstration container. The company expanded and completed this container in 2013 as part of the "75 good deeds" programme and handed it over to the volunteers. "I consider this kind of commitment over many years to be important, not only because it is an enormous help in our work. It also expresses a great deal of appreciation - and that mobilises additional strength to master upcoming tasks," said Michael Weber.