Bernburg. If there was one ray of hope during those dark, difficult hours following the attack on the Magdeburg Christmas market on 20 December 2024, it was the overwhelming willingness to help. On the ground, of course. But also beyond the borders of the state capital. Almost 240 volunteers from the Salzlandkreis’s Medical Services I and II and Support Services I and II rushed to Magdeburg to help. A few days ago, District Administrator Markus Bauer invited representatives of the aid organisations to Bernburg to thank them personally once again for their commitment on what was, by any human measure, such a harrowing evening. And to give them space to reflect on what they had experienced. Many of the accounts were as moving as they were honest.
Markus Bauer expressed his appreciation for the mostly volunteer helpers: "This evening has put us as a society to the test. Despite all the suffering, it fills me with great gratitude that all the emergency services responded so quickly and selflessly to help in the greatest need with energy and expertise. They have shown what characterises us as a society, even in rural areas: Solidarity and the willingness to take responsibility." He also thanked his colleagues at the integrated control centre for their coordination. "The processes from raising the alarm to the actual assistance worked very well." Schönebeck's Lord Mayor Bert Knoblauch and Hecklingen's Mayor Hendrik Mahrholdt also expressed their thanks once again at the event in Bernburg. They all emphasised that supporting volunteers is and remains an important task.
Within a short space of time, a total of 17 rescue vehicles and three emergency ambulances from the Salzland district had made their way to Magdeburg. Additional emergency crews then gathered in a staging area in Schönebeck in order to be able to react quickly in the event of a further call-out. Paramedics and emergency doctors had reported back to work in order to ensure the basic provision of emergency services in the Salzland district that evening. The day after the attack, the Salzland district's specialised paramedic service secured the official memorial service in Magdeburg Cathedral.
Schönebeck's town fire chief Daniel Alexander Schürmann said at the meeting with the district administrator: "The images on site made us realise that we in the fire brigade are not all the tough guys we always thought we were. We now know how important psychological support is." Anke Meyer, the head of the department responsible for rescue services and disaster control in the Salzland district, encouraged people to seek help in order to come to terms with their experiences. This is important, "even if you are professionals and know what you are doing". The Salzland district will provide as much support as possible. Head of specialist services Martina Lorenz noted that the fire brigades and aid organisations are thoroughly crisis-tested, but that this was the first time such a situation had occurred. In fact, all representatives reported that the attack was a recurring theme even weeks afterwards. Others said that they were glad not to have been deployed to the Christmas market themselves in view of the descriptions.
The ASB, DLRG, DRK and Johanniter aid organisations are active in the Salzland district. A technical evaluation of the operations with all those involved is planned.