Bayern THW commemorates its 75-year milestone, reflecting on a stirring chronicle dedicated to the safeguard of the general public.
Celebrating 75 Years of Service: THW Bavaria Marks Anniversary with Reception
The Technisches Hilfswerk (THW) Bavaria is commemorating a significant milestone this year, as it celebrates its 75th anniversary. To mark the occasion, the Bavarian State Chancellery is hosting a reception for around 350 THW members in Munich today.
The THW's journey began on August 22, 1950, when Gustav Heinemann, the then Federal Minister of the Interior, agreed with Otto Lummitzsch to establish a civilian public order service. Lummitzsch, who became the founder and first director of the THW, led the organisation through its early years.
In the 1950s, THW Bavaria was a modest operation, with only around 20 local associations and a total of approximately 1,000 volunteer personnel and a few professional staff. However, the organisation rapidly grew in size and influence.
One of the first foreign missions for the THW was a storm surge in the Netherlands in 1953, a testament to the organisation's commitment to providing aid worldwide. Today, the THW is a sought-after supporter for fire services, police, aid organizations, and others due to its expertise and diverse experiences. The THW is deployed worldwide on behalf of the federal government.
Six volunteer personnel from the local associations of Bayreuth, Selb, Ingolstadt, Aschaffenburg, Freising, and Simbach have been members of THW Bavaria for over 70 years, a testament to the organisation's enduring appeal and the dedication of its volunteers.
The THW has evolved its tasks due to changing global political situations. In recent years, the organisation's civil defense capabilities have gained significance due to Russia's aggressive war against Ukraine. The THW has so far procured aid goods worth over 138 million euros on behalf of the federal government for Ukraine, including vehicles, construction machinery, and power generators.
Bavarian THW forces were also deployed in Turkey in 2023 after a severe earthquake, providing on-site support in searching for and rescuing people and securing the power supply. The THW has also provided technical assistance abroad, rebuilding destroyed bridges, clearing stream beds, and restoring roads in Slovenia after heavy rainfall in 2023.
The THW has a special focus on measures to react to the effects of climate change, and this approach has been successful several times. Nuremberg, one of the oldest local associations of the THW, founded in 1950 as one of the first nationwide, is a testament to the organisation's longevity and continued relevance.
As the federal voluntary emergency service with over 80,000 volunteers nationwide, the THW continues to make a significant impact in Germany and beyond. Cities in Bavaria with a THW local group that has existed for at least 70 years include Bamberg, which has a THW Ortsverband (local branch) documented.
The THW's Bavarian forces also have special forces for foreign deployments, specialized in treating contaminated drinking water and pumping out large volumes of water. As the THW continues to grow and adapt, it remains committed to its mission of providing aid and support wherever it is needed.
