A farewell to recognition: Klaus Brandner hands over crisis management
A farewell to recognition: Klaus Brandner hands over crisis management
The Spittaler Turkish barracks recently was the scene of a special event that was dedicated to the outgoing district captain Klaus Brandner. This will retire on November 30 after he has been at the head of the district administration since 2009. During his term in office, Brandner has played a central role as a crisis manager in numerous crises, especially during the severe storm events in recent years.
The event, known as the "blue light day", not only served the celebration, but was also intended as a networking meeting for authorities, emergency organizations and communities. Brandner already initiated safety round tables in 2015 to strengthen the cooperation between different organizations. "Crisis and disaster protection only works in the network," he said.
Review of past disasters
With a look back by Walter Egger, the press spokesman for the district fire brigade command Spittal, it became clear which challenges of the district under Brandner's management had to be overcome. The major damage events mentioned include Sturm Paula from 2008, a forest fire on Plankogel 2015 as well as numerous flood events that took place in 2018 and in the following years. The increase in these extreme weather events shows a worrying tendency: "We assumed years ago that such events occur every two to three years. Now they come two to three times a year," commented district fire brigade commander Kurt Schober.
One of the most serious consequences of these storms are the massive damage caused by the districts of the district, which include a total area of 140,000 hectares. Ernst Hans Lackinger, who will soon take over the post of the district forest inspector, informed about the forestry support in disaster and cooperation with the blue light organizations. Many protective forests are badly damaged by these extreme weather conditions and can no longer fully meet their protective function. Restoration measures can take up to 50 years.
The event also provided insights into the planned large exercise "Transversalis24", which is to take place from December 9th to 13th. 500 soldiers, 70 vehicles and two helicopters will take part in this exercise. The main focus is on the protection of the Tauernautobahn (A 10), and the exercise extends over several communities in the region.
Klaus Brandner thanked everyone present for their support and the good cooperation during his term. He emphasized the importance of strong cooperation between the various organizations and groups, which often have to work together in crisis situations. His wife Eva, who was described on behalf of his future “boss”, also received flowers as a sign of recognition.
After the speeches, an exchange took place among high-ranking representatives of the rescue and security organizations, including the Red Cross, the police and the mountain rescue. This meeting illustrated both the importance of networking and the challenges that will come to the emergency services in the future. Various experts took the opportunity to exchange ideas about strategies and experiences.
The blue light day was not only a farewell for Klaus Brandner, but also an important platform for the exchange of experiences and the planning of future measures in disaster protection. The challenges that have been mastered in the past show the need for continuous cooperation in the region.