Employee volunteering in the domain of public safety, also based in Pforzheim
In the heart of Germany, the state of Baden-Württemberg is leading the way in promoting a strong culture of civil protection and emergency response. The "Ehrenamtsfreundlicher Arbeitgeber im Bevölkerungsschutz" award is a key means to recognise employers who support their employees in volunteering for such vital work.
This year, one such company that has been honoured is Carl Benzinger GmbH, based in Buechenbronn. The Pforzheim-based company has been commended for its commitment to allowing employees to participate in relief efforts at short notice and at any time, particularly in the field of civil protection.
Mayor Dirk Buscher has personally commended Carl Benzinger GmbH for this dedication, praising the company for fostering a culture that values and facilitates civic responsibility and emergency preparedness. This support is not limited to the Carl Benzinger company; employees are also voluntarily active in the Technical Relief Agency and several departments of the fire brigade in Pforzheim and the Enz district.
The company's support for voluntary civil protection work is made possible through generous time off, a policy that Carl Benzinger is proud of and personally grateful for. Tobias Deusch, a manager at the Benzinger company, expressed his honour at receiving the award, stating that it is a reflection of the company's commitment to its employees and the community.
Baden-Württemberg leads nationwide in the proportion of the population engaged in voluntary work, and the "Ehrenamtsfreundlicher Arbeitgeber im Bevölkerungsschutz" award is a testament to the growing recognition of employer support for voluntary civic work across the region. On January 19, 2025, 33 companies in Baden-Württemberg were honoured with this designation for their commitment to supporting voluntary civil protection efforts of their staff[1]. Additionally, 32 employers received this award earlier in 2025 from the state interior minister Thomas Strobl[2].
The significance of the award lies in acknowledging employers who encourage and support their employees to participate in voluntary civil protection activities, which can include training as first responders or other emergency preparedness roles. Such engagement contributes to community safety and resilience by ensuring well-trained volunteers are ready to respond in emergencies, thus benefiting society as a whole.
[1] Source: [Link to the original source] [2] Source: [Link to the original source]
Carl Benzinger GmbH, the Pforzheim-based company, extends its commitment beyond civil protection and emergency response. Employees, in addition to their roles, also engage in voluntary work with the Technical Relief Agency and several fire brigade departments in Pforzheim and the Enz district, demonstrating a lifestyle aligned with sustainable living and outdoor-living through home-and-garden projects, such as community gardening or wilderness cleanup initiatives.
As more companies in Baden-Württemberg embrace such practices, the "Ehrenamtsfreundlicher Arbeitgeber im Bevölkerungsschutz" award not only acknowledges commitment to voluntary civic work but also promotes a culture of empowered employees who prioritize and foster a sustainable lifestyle and harmonious coexistence with their environment.
