2024-01-21 08:31:05
The state of Lower Austria increases funding for water rescue – LH Mikl-Leitner and LR Königsberger-Ludwig: Water rescue is an important part of the blue-yellow safety family
St. Pölten (OTS/NLK) – Lower Austria’s state government has decided to provide funding for the Lower Austria regional association of Austrian water rescue. The Lower Austrian water rescue service will receive annual funding of 65,000 euros for the years 2024 to 2026, which corresponds to an annual funding amount increased by 10,000 euros compared to previous years, where the total was 55,000 euros.
“Water rescue is an important part of the blue-yellow safety family and does indispensable work in the service of our compatriots when it comes to caring for emergency patients on, on and in bodies of water. Without the voluntary commitment of the 1,566 members of the local water rescue team, many swimming accidents in our state would have turned out completely differently. Thank you very much for your commitment! By increasing the state’s funding, we are supporting water rescue, including by purchasing new technical aids,” said state governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner, who also emphasized: “It’s great to see that there are never any more volunteer water rescuers in Lower Austria than today. This shows that the voluntary work of our compatriots holds our state together, strengthens our community and is more modern than ever before.”
State Councilor Ulrike Königsberger-Ludwig adds: “Water rescue also makes a significant contribution in the area of prevention, especially when it comes to the dangers in, on and around the water. The water rescue also offers swimming training for beginners as well as advanced swimmers, lifeguard training and advanced training as well as training in the areas of whitewater rescue swimming and diving.”
“The state of Lower Austria is an important partner for Austrian water rescue. The new funding agreement underlines this partnership and gives us as a regional association the opportunity to continue on the path we have chosen in the future. Only through the support of the state of Lower Austria was and is it possible for us to exchange outdated materials and replace them with new ones. The extension also shows that we are an important and reliable partner in the Lower Austria safety family,” said Markus Schimböck, President of the Austrian Water Rescue – Lower Austria Regional Association.
The dedicated members of the Austrian Water Rescue work on a voluntary basis to ensure the safety of the population and are available around the clock to help in emergency situations – be it swimming accidents or various disaster operations. In the past year 2023, a total of impressive 50,000 operational hours were completed, while 5,000 swimming training courses and 600 lifeguard training courses were carried out. The large increase in members is particularly notable: The Lower Austria regional association of Austrian water rescue recorded a historic high of 1,566 members last year, compared to 1,364 members in 2022. Around 500 operations are recorded every year in all areas of operation, including pool monitoring.
Questions & Contact:
Office of the Lower Austrian State Government
State Office Directorate/Public Relations
Mag. Christian Salzmann
02742/9005-12172
[email protected]
www.noe.gv.at/presse
1705826805
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