Norbert Bentz can look back on an impressive career spanning over 50 years with the Technisches Hilfswerk (THW). He joined the organisation in 1973, shortly before his 15th birthday, as a youth volunteer with the St. Ingbert local branch (THW OV St. Ingbert). His interest had been sparked by a THW promotional campaign at his school. In the autumn of that same year, he began his apprenticeship as a machinist at Gema, a former engineering works in St. Ingbert.
He demonstrated exceptional commitment from an early age: from 1980 to 1992, he was responsible for youth work at the St. Ingbert branch, playing a key role in establishing the youth group and making a decisive impact on the development of young talent. In addition, in his roles as squad and group leader, he took on personnel and organisational responsibilities. Over the years, further leadership roles followed, including the posts of deputy platoon leader and deputy local representative in the communications specialist group within the Technical Platoon in St. Ingbert. From 1992 to 2018, he even headed the THW St. Ingbert branch as local representative. He was involved in numerous major operations in the Saarland, across Germany and abroad. These include the natural disasters caused by the storms Wiebke (1990) and Lothar (1999), as well as various flooding incidents: in 2002, when he was deployed in the Magdeburg area, in the Ahr Valley (2021) and right on his doorstep (2024), during the Whitsun floods in the Saarpfalz district.
“The desire and ability to help people in need have always been, and remain, my greatest motivation,”
he emphasises.
Even today, Norbert Bentz remains actively involved as a safety officer and technical advisor. Since 2011, he has also been the THW district representative for the Saarpfalz district. After 25 years, he was happy to hand over his role as local representative in order to make way for a successor.
“One shouldn’t cling to one’s position,”
is his conviction.
The THW St. Ingbert branch currently has around 100 members. Of these, around 60 to 65 are actively available for operations. Training takes place regularly every Tuesday evening. On average, the volunteers respond to around 20 call-outs per year. The organisation places particular emphasis on youth development. Around 20 young people are currently involved in the youth group. Bentz sees recruiting new members as one of the biggest challenges for the future. Whilst in the past many volunteers were recruited through youth work, today people often only join the organisation once they are over 50 years old.
District Administrator Frank John paid tribute to Norbert Bentz’s long-standing and tireless commitment. Through his work, he has had a lasting impact on civil protection in the region.
“The award of the Federal Cross of Merit is a mark of the highest esteem for many years of outstanding service to the community. Through his great dedication to the THW and his commitment to helping people in need, Norbert Bentz has made a valuable contribution to the common good over the decades. With the utmost respect for the work he has done, I thank him, also on behalf of the Saarpfalz district, and offer my warmest congratulations on this well-deserved honour,”
said District Administrator John. As a token of appreciation, the District Administrator presented the honouree with a Bliesgau gift box containing regional products.