"The German Red Cross makes an indispensable contribution to the safety and well-being of the people here in Saarland. Especially disaster control and the assistance services for citizens are more important today than ever," said Mayor Marc Speicher during his visit.
The DRK Saarlouis district association, with around 216 employees and 710 active volunteers, is one of the most significant aid organizations in the region. Last year, the DRK disaster protection center in Saarwellingen was opened, a modern facility of approximately 1,400 square meters that was entirely self-financed.
In the future, the association also wants to continue investing: "The protection of our employees and volunteers is the top priority here," emphasized Monika Bachmann. "The introduction of radios to improve internal communication is a crucial step to increase safety during operations. Our employees can quickly call for backup in emergencies, which is intended to significantly enhance the sense of security."
In light of an incident in which a medical student was attacked in the historic center of Saarlouis, this step is seen as a necessary measure. In the future, closer cooperation with the police is also intended to provide even more protection.
“A well-functioning, direct communication channel is indispensable today,” explains Police Director Stefan Schmitz. “The networking between the Red Cross, police, and the city of Saarlouis will not only be important at major events such as city festivals but will also help to increase the sense of security for all involved in everyday life.”
Mayor Marc Speicher added at the end: "Safety is important. We need to better network our security and rescue forces. For this, we have agreed on important improvements together."
