Reinheim's mayor reacts to the incident during the fire brigade operation and demands respect for emergency and rescue workers
Following an incident during a fire department operation in Reinheim, Mayor Manuel Feick condemned the insults and threats directed at emergency personnel. A member of the volunteer fire department was verbally attacked and subjected to severe insults during an operation.
The statement from Mayor Manuel Feick:
Anyone who insults or threatens our emergency services crosses a clear line
They are there when others need help – in fires, accidents, and numerous other emergencies. The emergency responders of the volunteer fire department and aid and rescue organizations take responsibility for their fellow citizens, often under difficult conditions and at any time of day or night.
Therefore, as mayor, I am taking a clear stance following a recent incident in which a firefighter was verbally attacked and massively insulted during an operation:
As a city, we can procure the most modern vehicles and equip our fire departments with excellent technology. But all this technology is worthless without the women and men who are willing to use it and take responsibility for other people.
The members of the volunteer fire department perform their service on a voluntary basis. When the alarm sounds, they leave their workplace, their families, or their leisure time and go to the fire station. They do this regardless of the time of day, day of the week, or weather – and often in situations that are physically and mentally demanding.
It is therefore unacceptable that emergency personnel are insulted, verbally abused, or even threatened while on duty.
Anyone who insults or threatens someone trying to help others crosses a clear line. Such behavior cannot be tolerated in our city. Our emergency responders deserve respect, recognition, and gratitude – and they must be able to rely on our city's support.
This explicitly does not refer solely to the fire department. The same stance applies to the employees of the rescue services, the police, and all other aid and rescue organizations.
I therefore reiterate that insults, threats, or attacks on emergency personnel must not be downplayed: Where boundaries are crossed, incidents must be thoroughly investigated. Anyone who attacks people who come to the aid of others must also expect the corresponding consequences.
At the same time, my thanks go to the numerous volunteer emergency responders in Reinheim:
I am proud of the women and men of our fire departments and grateful for what they do for our city. They take responsibility when other people need them most. This commitment deserves our full support.
For me, this also raises a fundamental question of social coexistence: respect for the people who provide safety and assistance must be a matter of course.
A city only functions when people are willing to take responsibility for one another. Our emergency services do exactly that. They deserve not insults, but our respect and recognition.
Manuel Feick
mayor
