Tuesday, 9 a.m.: After an eventful Pentecost weekend, the leaders of the Upper Austrian rescue and security organizations met in the country house. They had the Volunteer Manifesto with them. In this initiative of the Upper Austria News and the volunteer organizations (Red Cross, volunteer fire brigade, workers’ Samaritans, water rescue, mountain and cave rescue, civil defense association) a list of suggestions was drawn up that would make the work of the volunteer organizations in Upper Austria easier . 14,250 compatriots put their signatures under the catalog of demands.
Global events, felt locally
The handover to the members of the state government took place today. The past weekend in particular showed again how indispensable the work of the volunteers is, explained Markus Staudinger (OÖN). In general, the past few years have been particularly demanding for the blue light organizations, continued Walter Aichinger, President of the Upper Austrian Red Cross.
Starting with the refugee crisis in 2015, through the corona pandemic to the war in Ukraine, global political events also placed enormous demands on Upper Austria’s voluntary organizations.
In order to be able to continue to guarantee the work of these many volunteer helpers, the necessary framework conditions are needed, Aichinger outlined the key points of the volunteer manifesto:
- a volunteer council for rescue and security organizations at the state level
- Appreciation in the form of benefits for volunteers in the community/in the country
- Expanding the recognition of voluntary commitments in job applications
- Support for companies that promote volunteers
- Database for voluntary rescue and security organizations
- Funding for volunteer management/coordination in the organizations
Governor Thomas Stelzer (VP) picked up the ball for the state government. “I am very happy that we are discussing the proposals together,” he said. He sees this as a further development of what has already been a “very good working relationship”.
The work of the volunteers is anything but a matter of course, said Stelzer. Other countries would envy Austria’s culture of voluntary work. The “public appreciation” for the volunteers is important. But they also need “top equipment” and the appropriate framework conditions for their missions, said the governor.
The next steps have already been agreed: at a round table on June 23rd in the OÖNachrichten-Forum, at the invitation of the OÖN, representatives of the voluntary organizations and the state government parties will discuss the proposals and seek solutions. The confidence of finding some was palpable on Tuesday.
Source: Nachrichten
