KBI Gerhard Biederbick has retired
After more than 26 years of service to the Waldeck-Frankenberg district, almost all of which were spent as District Fire Inspector (KBI), Gerhard Biederbick was bid a fond farewell as he entered his well-deserved retirement during a ceremony. Numerous high-ranking guests from the worlds of politics, public administration and emergency services organisations had gathered to pay tribute to his outstanding contribution to the safety of the local community.
Unparalleled commitment to fire and disaster prevention
District Administrator Jürgen van der Horst described the outgoing Chief Fire Officer as a cornerstone of hazard prevention in the region. “With Gerhard Biederbick, we are not only losing a proven expert and a leader, but also a man who has shaped and significantly advanced fire and disaster protection in the district of Waldeck-Frankenberg over decades. His strategic vision, his unshakeable composure in crisis situations and his tireless commitment to the interests of the fire services are unparalleled. He leaves behind a huge legacy and a superbly prepared foundation for his successor.”
awarded the Silver Fire Safety Medal of Honour. The significance of Gerhard Biederbick’s work was underlined by the presence of Martin Rößler, State Secretary at the Hessian Ministry of the Interior, Security and Homeland Protection. In his laudatory speech, he emphasised the statewide significance of Gerhard Biederbick’s work: “You have been serving in the voluntary fire service for around 50 years. Fifty years ago, we were going through turbulent times, and yet you managed to balance your voluntary work, your career and your family life. In your role as district fire inspector, you radiated charisma. Charisma that had an impact far beyond the district’s borders, if not even beyond the state’s borders.” In recognition of his exceptional achievements, the State Secretary therefore awarded Gerhard Biederbick the Silver Fire Safety Medal of Merit in the form of a cross.
Numerous honours and words of appreciation
. Throughout the evening, which featured musical accompaniment from the Waldeck-Sachsenhausen Fire Brigade Band, numerous colleagues expressed their appreciation to the outgoing District Fire Inspector. The speeches by Carsten Vahland, Korbach’s municipal fire inspector, and Gordon Kalhöfer, chairman of the district fire service association, highlighted the high regard in which Gerhard Biederbick is held by his colleagues in the fire services.
Dr Christoph Weltecke, in his capacity as Vice-President of the State Fire Service Association and the German Fire Service Association, also presented Gerhard Biederbick – following his words of appreciation – with the Silver Medal of Honour from the State Fire Service Association (LFV) of Hesse and the Silver Badge of Honour of the German Fire Services Association (DFV). The Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW), represented by Dirk Gernand and Jan Seemke, also expressed its gratitude for the excellent cooperation and awarded him the THW’s badge of honour. Welcoming remarks from Mayor Stefan Kieweg, who conveyed the recognition on behalf of all the mayors and the mayoress of the district, as well as from Eva Brinke, Dean of the Protestant Church District of Twiste-Eisenberg, who spoke particularly highly of the collaboration in the field of emergency pastoral care, rounded off the series of tributes.
A steady hand and great expertise
The First Deputy District Administrator and Head of Fire Safety, Karl-Friedrich Frese, also highlighted the spirit of trust and cooperation within the district administration: “Gerhard Biederbick was not only the district fire inspector, but also a prudent and highly regarded head of department. His ability to reconcile complex administrative procedures with the practical requirements of the emergency services, fire safety and disaster management was impressive. He was a colleague whose word you could always rely on and who led his specialist department with a steady hand and great competence.” Other guests included District President Mark Weinmeister, together with other representatives from the District Presidency, District Council Chairman Rainer Hesse and members of the State Parliament.
A life dedicated to safety
Gerhard Biederbick, now 61 years old, who is married and the father of two children, found his way into the fire service at an early age – initially as a volunteer with the Willingen-Usseln Fire Brigade. After completing his military service, he initially worked in the private sector as a technical consultant and planner specialising in heating systems. However, he found his true calling in the fire service. After training as a trainee fire inspector at the Hessian State Fire Service School in Kassel, he joined the Waldeck-Frankenberg district fire service in 2000 and was appointed district fire inspector shortly afterwards. Since 2005, he has headed the specialist service for ambulance services, fire and disaster protection.
Gerhard Biederbick’s period of leave of absence will now begin on 1 October 2026, following his request to be relieved of his duties in order to ensure a smooth transition and to finalise the succession arrangements, with Philip Windisch set to take over. In his moving closing remarks, Gerhard Biederbick thanked all those who had accompanied him on his journey, his family and the volunteer emergency services for their many years of support and the trust they had placed in him.
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Keywords:
Specialist rescue service, fire protection and disaster control