Emergency services in focus: respect and tolerance at the anniversary celebration in Münster!

Emergency services in focus: respect and tolerance at the anniversary celebration in Münster!

On May 25, 2025, an anniversary celebration took place in the fire station in Münster-Häger with around 250 visitors, including numerous emergency services from all over Germany. The day provided a platform to raise awareness of the challenges and dangers faced by police officers and firefighters. A former police officer from Berlin-Neukölln reported particularly impressively about a life-threatening situation that occurred during a traffic stop. A motorcyclist resisted his arrest and tried to get the police officer's service weapon. A lucky circumstance saved his life: the magazine of his weapon was not fully loaded.

As part of the festival, the traveling exhibition “The Man Behind It – Initiative for Respect and Tolerance” was presented. This exhibition shows the experiences of emergency services and a total of 150 interviews were conducted. The initiative, launched by Andrea Wommelsdorf, aims to create a voice for emergency responders and raise awareness of their experiences. Interior Minister Herbert Reul thanked the initiators and emphasized the importance of respect for these professional groups. The exhibition has already visited many major German cities and is now increasingly being presented in schools, with positive feedback from students who are interested in joining the police force themselves.

Challenges of the emergency services

Like the police, firefighters face significant challenges. A firefighter from Dortmund described an incident in which he was beaten by a drunk teenager in the ambulance during an operation. This forces the fire department to only operate under police protection in certain areas. Such incidents highlight the increasing violence against rescue workers and the need to protect them.

Police officer André Gaudschun from Bottrop discussed the psychological traces that such experiences leave behind. He made it clear that the mental health of emergency responders is an equally important issue that cannot be overlooked in the context of respecting and protecting the work of police officers and firefighters.

Lessons from the Stuttgart riot night

In the context of the challenges facing the police, the events of the Stuttgart riot night on June 17, 2021 are still vividly remembered. The police have learned lessons from these riots. Rüdiger Winter, head of the Stuttgart criminal police, emphasized the importance of communication with the scene-goers involved. Cooperation with street workers is seen as essential in order to strengthen trust in the police and to avoid excessive controls and harassment, especially of young people with a migrant background.

The social debate that ensued after these riots highlights the need to improve the relationship between the police and the public. Involvement in schools could be a first step in the right direction to promote understanding and respect for the work of emergency responders.

Overall, it shows that dialogue and respect in society are of central importance in order to create a common basis for ensuring order and security.