THW Bavaria Celebrates 75 Years of Saving Lives and Protecting Communities
The Technisches Hilfswerk (THW) in Bavaria is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. Established in 1950 to protect the population from the aftermath of World War II, the THW has evolved and expanded its competencies over the decades, with around 16,000 volunteers in Bavaria dedicating their free time to this cause.
The THW's history is marked by numerous significant events. In 2016, over 400 THW forces were deployed to the tragic train crash in Bad Aibling, rescuing severely injured people from the wreckage. More recently, in 2023, around 50 Bavarian THW forces travelled to Slovenia to rebuild destroyed bridges, clear stream beds, and restore roads after heavy rainfall.
The THW's role has expanded beyond domestic duties. After Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, the THW expanded its competencies in emergency supply and emergency restoration in civil defense. Today, it has procured aid goods worth over 138 million euros for Ukraine, including vehicles, construction machinery, and power generators.
The THW's volunteers have also been instrumental in combating natural disasters. In 2021, thousands of Bavarian deployment forces were on site in the Ahr Valley to combat the damage caused by the flood disaster. Last year, they provided countless hours of service during the flood disaster caused by the low-pressure system 'Orinoco' in the south of Bavaria.
To mark this jubilee, the Bavarian State Chancellery is hosting a reception for around 350 THW members in Munich. Despite the lack of specific information about individuals from the THW Landesvereinigung Bayern who have been active for more than 70 years, the THW's impact and dedication to protecting the population are undeniable.
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