Comrade Hardy Güttler has been a member of the Frankfurt (Oder) volunteer fire department in the Booßen district since March 1981. He is still involved there today as fire chief. Hardy Güttler also distinguished himself through his particularly active work in setting up the city fire brigade association and supported the organization and implementation of the annual meetings of the retirement and honorary departments of the Frankfurt (Oder) volunteer fire department.
Güttler continued to write the chronicle of the Frankfurt (Oder) fire department together with his comrades. He supported the design of the Booßen volunteer fire department's festival site and renovated the meeting room and social area himself. Through his contribution, various financial resources could be saved, which in turn could be made available to the youth fire department.
Comrade Güttler was actively involved in fighting many fires and in disaster operations in and around Frankfurt (Oder).
In recognition of his services and ongoing commitment to the common good and the strengthening of fire protection, Hardy Güttler was awarded the Silver Ribbon Badge of Honor in Fire Protection this week.
The badge was presented by Lord Mayor René Wilke: "To know that Hardy Güttler is a comrade in the Frankfurt (Oder) Volunteer Fire Brigade, Booßen fire brigade, who has been highly committed for more than four decades and who fulfills his vocation with competence, passion and humanity, fills me with great gratitude and recognition. It is this conviction of wanting to and being able to make the world around us a little bit better that makes a difference every day – and in Hardy Güttler's case, benefits the protection of life and limb of the general public."
Background: According to the administrative regulations of the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government, anyone who belongs to a fire department and has made special achievements in the field of firefighting can receive a silver ribbon decoration in fire protection. Special services are generally deemed to have been rendered if, over a period of at least ten years, services have been rendered that go significantly beyond regular activities and the usual fulfillment of duties in fire protection.
Proposals for the awarding of a silver ribbon fire protection decoration must be submitted to the member of the state government responsible for fire and disaster control.
A certificate bearing the coat of arms of the state of Brandenburg is issued for the awarding of the fire or disaster control decoration. The member of the state government responsible for fire and disaster protection – Michael Stübgen, Minister of the Interior and for Municipal Affairs of the State of Brandenburg - personally presents the decoration in fire or disaster protection, including the accompanying certificate. In individual cases, another person, e.g. the Lord Mayor, may present the award.