Help in need: Voluntary rescue souls in the Wolfratshausen district

Help in need: Voluntary rescue souls in the Wolfratshausen district

Wolfratshausen, Deutschland - A tragic motorcycle accident shaked the Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen region! A young driver who wanted to enjoy his last tour before winter on a sunny autumn day lost control in a curve and crashed head -on against an oncoming car. Despite the efforts of a first aider to reanimate him, all help came too late - the young man died at the scene of the accident. Such shocking events are the area of application for the crisis intervention team (Kid), which plays an indispensable role in the region.

The kid, consisting of 20 committed volunteers, is alerted in traumatic situations, often at the request of the police or fire brigade. "We have between 60 and 80 missions each year," explains Roland Herzog, the specialist service manager of the Bavarian Red Cross. The operations are often in the home, for example when a sudden death triggers a shock. The helpers work in teams of two in order to be able to react quickly and effectively. Marina Prause, part of the team for six years, emphasizes that the training is intense and requires comprehensive preparation for the psychological challenges of the missions.

crisis intervention: Support in need

The main task of the kid employees is to simply “be there”-even in moments of silence. Herzog describes that they act as a "bridge builder" that create the connections between the emergency services, those affected and their social networks. They help the bereaved, everyday things not to lose sight of, while they at the same time explain which reactions are normal after a traumatic event. "We draw attention to specialist organizations that can offer further support," adds Prause to help those affected after a loss.

The missions take an average of between two and a half and three hours, with those affected decide when the support ends. The volunteers are subject to strict confidentiality, but they too receive support from their colleagues and internal contacts. "Psychohygiene is an important asset for us," emphasizes Herzog. The team is constantly looking for new members who are willing to get involved in this important work. Financing takes place exclusively by donations, since the help for those affected is free of charge.