District Administrator Frank John congratulates Norbert Bentz
In November of last year, Norbert Bentz was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit by Saarland's Interior Minister Reinhold Jost for his decades of dedication to the Technical Relief Organization (Technisches Hilfswerk, THW). He recently received congratulations for this special honor during an invitation to the district office by District Administrator Frank John.
Norbert Bentz looks back on an impressive career of over 50 years with the Technical Relief Organization. He joined the THW in 1973 shortly before his 15th birthday as a junior helper in the local chapter of St. Ingbert (THW OV St. Ingbert). His interest was sparked by a THW promotional campaign at his school. In the fall of the same year, he began his training as a machinist at Gema, a former machine factory in St. Ingbert.
He showed special commitment early on: from 1980 to 1992, youth work in the St. Ingbert local chapter was his responsibility, through which he significantly contributed to building the youth group and crucially shaped youth development. Additionally, in his roles as squad and group leader, he took on personnel and organizational responsibilities. Over the years, other leadership tasks followed, including serving as deputy platoon leader and deputy local representative in the communication specialist group of the technical platoon in St. Ingbert. From 1992 to 2018, he even served as the local representative at the head of the THW OV St. Ingbert. He was involved in numerous major operations, in Saarland, nationwide in Germany, and abroad. These include natural disasters following the storms Wiebke (1990) and Lothar (1999) as well as various flood events: in 2002, where he was active around Magdeburg, in the Ahr Valley (2021), and close to home (2024), during the Pentecost floods in the Saarpfalz district. "Wanting and being able to help people in need have been and remain my greatest motivation," he emphasizes.
Even today, Norbert Bentz remains actively engaged as a safety officer and technical advisor. Since 2011, he has also been the district commissioner of the THW for the Saarpfalz district. He gladly passed on his role as local representative after 25 years to consciously make room for a successor. "One should not cling to their office," is his conviction.
The THW OV St. Ingbert currently counts around 100 members, of whom about 60 to 65 are available for active deployment. Training takes place regularly every Tuesday evening. On average, the helpers respond to about 20 operations per year. The organization places special emphasis on youth work. Around 20 young people are currently involved in the youth group. Bentz sees youth recruitment as one of the greatest challenges for the future. Whereas many helpers used to be recruited through youth work, today people often only join the organization at an age of over 50.
District Administrator Frank John honored Norbert Bentz’s long-standing and tireless commitment. Through his work, he has sustainably shaped civil protection in the region. "The awarding of the Federal Cross of Merit is a symbol of the highest appreciation for many years of extraordinary service to the community. Norbert Bentz has made a valuable contribution to the common good over decades with his great dedication to the THW and his commitment to people in need. With the utmost respect for his work, I thank him, also on behalf of the Saarpfalz district, and warmly congratulate him on this well-deserved award," said District Administrator John. As a sign of recognition, the district administrator presented the honoree with a Bliesgau crate containing regional products.
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Caption: District Administrator Frank John congratulated Norbert Bentz on receiving the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Photo: Anika Bäcker
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