Eleven years ago, the flood disaster showed everyone how important the coordinated deployment of available forces and resources is in an emergency in order to successfully overcome an emergency. The 2013 floods were not just a fast-paced race against time, but also an impressive demonstration of solidarity in the Börde district.
Authorities, aid organisations, the German Armed Forces, companies and volunteers did outstanding work to protect our region. In total, well over 4500 people successfully helped to avert the imminent danger posed by the dykes of the Elbe and Ohre rivers.
3200 members of volunteer fire brigades from all over the district, 772 members of the German Armed Forces, around 450 helpers from the Technical Relief Organisation and members of the municipal waterways services were deployed at the hot spots in the district. The German Red Cross, Malteser Hilfsdienst, Arbeiter Samariter Bund and Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe accompanied the emergency services.
District Administrator Martin Stichnoth opened the event and reconstructed the flood situation. He thanked all the forces involved at the time for their efforts and emphasised the importance of disaster control.
The District Administrator was followed by specialist presentations from the Head of the Department of Infrastructure and Environment Dr Denis Gruber, the Managing Director of the Saxony-Anhalt Dam Authority Burkhard Henning and specialist presentations from the Head of the Office for Fire, Disaster Control and Rescue Services and District Fire Chief Mathias Schumann.
Both the district administrator and the other speakers emphasised the importance of disaster control and how important cooperation between all those involved is in emergency situations such as the 2013 floods.
The event was also used to award various honours to fire service comrades. For example, four people received the Saxony-Anhalt fire service clasp from the Minister of the Interior, Dr Tamara Zieschang, for exemplary achievements in fire service work or outstanding performance during operations. Two other firefighters were unable to attend the event and will be presented with their awards by the Minister at a later date.
Afterwards, District Administrator Marin Stichnoth, District Fire Chief Matthias Schumann and Jens Sips, Head of the Office for Fire, Disaster Protection and Rescue Services, honoured further comrades with the Börde District Fire and Disaster Protection Badge of Honour (BKS).
Six comrades from the local fire brigades were awarded the bronze medal of honour of the BKS of the district of Börde. Six firefighters received the BKS Badge of Honour of the District of Börde in silver. A further seven firefighters were honoured with the Gold Badge of Honour of the BKS of the Börde district.