Pastetten Fire Department: Dog team saves lives – but is there a lack of support?

Pastetten Fire Department: Dog team saves lives – but is there a lack of support?

In the quiet community of Pastetten, in the heart of Bavaria, a heroic dog team operates that not only saves, but also gives hope. Ten strong dogs and their nine dog handlers from the Pastetten fire department are active in the search for missing people in the districts of Ebersberg, Erding and Freising, and how South German newspaper According to reports, they are alerted about 20 times a year by the Erding Integrated Control Center if other search methods do not lead to their goal.

The dog squad, which is one of the eleven existing dog squads of the fire departments in Bavaria, has carried out almost 40 missions in the last three years. Unfortunately, they were unable to find four missing people during these operations, but all other people were rescued. On August 5, 2023, this dedicated group found a 62-year-old woman from Geislbach who was helpless after an e-bike accident in the forest. After a search operation that also involved police, drones and helicopters, the woman was finally found after 12 hours. She expressed her gratitude in a touching letter, and her son presented the helpers with a gift basket.

Intensive training and challenge

The training of dog handlers is no small feat - these dedicated firefighters spend around 4,500 hours in training every year, not counting the time for seminars and operations. The dogs are trained in a special area to improve both their nerve strength and their ability to locate missing people. The teams usually move out at night, often many hours after the first alarm.

But there are also challenges. In order to be able to complete the missions safely, the dog squad needs a used sprinter vehicle, which is essential for the next missions. A fundraising campaign to finance this vehicle, which could cost between 10,000 and 15,000 euros, is already underway. However, the helpers do not receive any government subsidies for their important work, as the provision of rescue dog teams is a voluntary task of the fire departments. The Pastetten local council is rather reserved, with funding of just 500 euros per year.

Reinforcement from the Hochbrück fire department

A look at the neighbors shows that other fire departments are also active in the region. The Hochbrück volunteer fire department For example, has expanded with 12 rescue dog teams and works closely with the BRH Rescue Dog Squadron Oberbayern e.V., which was founded in Munich in 1980. This cooperation enables efficient coverage of the majority of search operations through the combination of several specialized teams.

This shows that the work of the dog teams in Bavaria is not only very relevant, but is also characterized by deep solidarity. Whether in Pastetten or Hochbrück - the volunteers and their loyal four-legged companions work tirelessly to help people in need and therefore represent an indispensable support for the community.