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The German Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW – Technisches Hilfswerk) is the German governmental agency for civil protection and technical relief worldwide. But more than 95% of the staff are volontary workers like me. The rest is made up of professional administration and technicians in regional offices and the headquarter in Bonn, as well as teachers and instructors in two federal schools. The main resource of our agency is the knowledge of more than 60,000 volontary members who often contribute expertise of their regular profession into the THW and on the other hand often transfer skills obtained in THW-training into their job.

This was also the reason for me to start an engagement at the THW and becoming an professional for international cooperation at the headquarter last year beside my voluntary engagement. At the end of my studies in geology I found my skills in hydrogeology, engineering geology and geodetic surveying might be of value for relief work. Of course being able to help people all over the world is the best motivation to make the best possible job.

On the following pages I would like to introduce my work at the THW splitted in my job for INSARAG, voluntary duty, relief projects and ending with the necessary training.

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Olaf Joerdel, 2002-2006