“We are stunned, shocked, angry and sad,” says Stefan Schachermair, commander of the Utzenaich volunteer fire brigade. A hydraulic rescue device and spreader were stolen from the volunteers from the Utzenaich and Stelzham fire brigades, who are housed in a shared fire station. Value according to Schachermair: around 24,000 euros.
According to initial investigations, it was a carefully planned burglary. “The device has between 70 and 80 kilograms, so you have to be at least two people to be able to transport something like that,” says Schachermair in the OÖN interview. No other equipment or valuables were removed.
Device can save lives
The hydraulic rescue device is used in accidents to rescue and rescue people and can save lives. “When we noticed that the device was missing, we initially thought it was a bad joke, but unfortunately we really became the victim of a very brazen burglary,” says the commander. Before the crime, the motion detectors at the fire station were destroyed. “One has read on the Internet again and again that there are such cases, also from neighboring Bavaria. I didn’t think it would get us,” says Schachermair.
One is already in close coordination with the regional fire brigade association in order to quickly obtain a replacement device on loan. Compensation for the theft of the device is now an insurance case. “We assume that we will receive compensation. However, the amount will probably not cover a new purchase,” says Schachermair.
The outrage at the crime is great on social networks. “I’m stunned,” writes a woman on the Facebook page of the Utzenaich volunteer fire department. Another: “What a mess.” The post by FF Utzenaich has now been shared around 800 times.
The Aurolzmünster police station will receive relevant information on 059133/4242-100.
Source: Nachrichten
