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Change of staff at THW Forchheim: Wilfling struggles with difficult rescue!
After 16 years, Christian Wilfling hands over the office of THW local representative in Forchheim to Tobias Saffer in a celebratory ceremony.
Change of staff at THW Forchheim: Wilfling struggles with difficult rescue!
On January 19, 2026 the time had finally come: Christian Wilfling, after 16 years as local representative of THW Forchheim, handed over his office to Tobias Saffer. A balance was drawn up at a celebratory ceremony and Wilfling received much praise for his dedicated work. Interestingly, it was during his farewell speech that he brought up one of his specialist areas, “heavy rescue”, and impressively pointed out the challenges in this form of operation. This form of rescue is at the heart of the THW and goes far beyond normal rescue work, as thw-forchheim.de explains.
The heavy rescue specialist group at THW Forchheim has equipment that is prepared for particularly complex operational scenarios. Electrical and hydraulic tools are used here, which make it possible to work in low-noise and low-emission conditions. This not only protects the emergency services, but also the people who are to be rescued. The ability to create access and rescue openings with virtually no vibration, for example after gas explosions, is another highlight of the group.
A farewell with deep respect
During the ceremony, Wilfling was given a fitting farewell by his comrades and the public. Many participants emphasized how important Wilfling's commitment has been in recent years and what positive traces he has left behind. A farewell that was filled with both emotions and recognition for the work done. It's not easy to hand over the helm after so many years, but Wilfling will certainly know that THW will continue to support him in the future.
Saffer, who has now taken over the office, will have to follow in his predecessor's footsteps with a breath of fresh air and new ideas. As it is often said in older circles: a good start is half the battle! It will be interesting to see what accents he will set.
A look into the future
It remains to be seen how the THW Forchheim will continue to meet the requirements of modern rescue. The challenges in real-world operations are diverse, and the heavy rescue specialist group will certainly play a key role here. The use of special tools such as core drills and concrete chainsaws will continue to make rescue operations easier.
All in all, the handover from Christian Wilfling to Tobias Saffer was not only a farewell, but also the beginning of a new chapter for THW Forchheim. The course has been set and we are looking forward to future missions and successes! It is important to continue the tradition of strength and efficiency at THW and to always be prepared for the challenges of the future.