Anja Cammrad has been a member of the Lichtenberg volunteer fire department for 38 years and has also held the position of deputy fire chief for twelve years. Her commitment has family roots: her father was the local fire chief and her mother was also actively involved. She joined the fire department when a women's group was founded in the local fire brigade.
"I get involved because I like helping other people and the community and team spirit give me a lot in return," says Anja Cammrad. "After a hard day's work, spending time with my comrades is a good way to relax."
She particularly remembers the deployment during the Elbe floods in Magdeburg: "We spent two days filling and shoring up sandbags, slept very little, but did a lot for the community and helped the local people. That was something very special."
She has also been a vehicle driver in the specialist measurement and detection platoon for six years. The unit takes on special tasks in the field of NBC protection and is deployed in hazardous materials situations, for example, to detect pollutants or radioactive substances and take samples of hazardous materials.
The time required for their commitment should not be underestimated: In addition to the weekly training service for operations, Anja Cammrad meets once a month for training on the CBRN detection vehicle of the measurement and detection specialist unit, which is stationed in Lichtenberg, and takes part in the specialist unit's special service once a quarter. She also attends numerous meetings and discussions at local, city and specialist platoon level.
For Anja Cammrad, volunteering in the fire department means much more than just supporting other people: "You learn something for life - whether it's teamwork or very practical skills such as knot tying or domestic fire safety measures." She therefore hopes that many adults, children and young people will continue to be enthusiastic about the service and is happy to welcome new members of all ages.
She sees the Ehrenamtskarte as an appreciative recognition of the work they do: "For me, it's a great thank you to all the people who dedicate many hours of their free time to the community."
Information on the Ehrenamtskarte
The Ehrenamtskarte is the city of Salzgitter's way of saying thank you to citizens who show perseverance, energy and commitment in clubs, volunteer fire departments, aid organizations or other voluntary work for the community.
The Ehrenamtskarte offers numerous discounts (opens in a new tab) in the areas of sport, culture and leisure - both in Salzgitter and throughout Lower Saxony and Bremen.
New this year
As of this year, travel times incurred in connection with volunteer work are officially recognized as part of the time allotment. This includes, for example, the outward and return journeys to services or events. In this way, the journey to volunteer work is recognized as part of the service to the community.
How can I obtain the Ehrenamtskarte?
Anyone who has volunteered for at least 250 hours per year or five hours per week for at least two years and receives no more than EUR 3,300 per year in compensation for this work is eligible.
Exceptions have so far been made for holders of the Youth Leader Card (Juleica) and members of volunteer fire departments, rescue services and technical relief organizations: they can receive the Ehrenamtskarte after just one year of volunteering or after completing basic training.
Anyone wishing to apply for the Ehrenamtskarte can obtain more information via the Freiwilligenserver(https://www.freiwilligenserver.de/ehrenamtskarte) (opens in a new tab) or the Freiwilligen-Zentrum-Salzgitter e.V. (Tel: 05341/910 479 1, Mail: infofz-szde The center is open from Monday to Friday from 10-12 h and on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 15-17 h with information about volunteering.
