Oliver Kiedaisch

In my case, it was a number of things that led me to volunteer in the THW. On the one hand, I am very interested in technology. In the THW, we use a lot of heavy equipment, vehicles, and technology for rescue operations. 

For example, we use excavators to rebuild destroyed infrastructure, e.g. roads and utilities, but also to demolish buildings at risk of collapse or to help fire brigades. We build bridges, we employ rescue teams, we provide water and electricity to people, and much more. 

I am involved in youth work. As a youth group leader, I help putting into practice our motto ‘Playfully learning to help’. Children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 18 learn many practical things at the THW that are also useful in our day-to-day lives. For example, we have what we call a ‘pocketknife driving licence’, we work with materials such as wood and stone, there are rope courses, first aid courses, but also a lot of fun, such as water battles, all kind of games, watching movies together, as well as tent camps and grill evenings in summer. 

All activities are adapted to age. And of course, we also visit schools during project days. In my town of Kirchheim unter Treck, more than 100 kids and teenagers volunteer in THW, we even had to establish a waiting list!

I have been in countless rescue missions since I completed my basic training with THW in 2008. Nowadays, I am proud to see more and more young adults who were in one of my youth groups, volunteering and going on rescue missions themselves. 

I also find it important that the THW is not political and that we do not allow our work to be instrumentalised politically. At the same time, THW requires all those involved in its work to be committed to the rule of law. We are committed to democracy and do not tolerate discrimination.  I am very happy and proud to be part of the Technische Hilfswerk and to do my part of all the important things we do!”