Due to the attack at the Magdeburg Christmas market last Friday, December 20, and the high number of casualties, the local emergency services are facing immense challenges. For this reason, the Salzgitter fire department proactively approached the Magdeburg fire department on Saturday, December 21 and offered its support in the area of psycho-social emergency care (PSNV). This offer was gratefully accepted. After the Salzgitter fire department received approval from the Lower Saxony Ministry of the Interior's competence center to deploy a PSNV squadron (six emergency personnel), the volunteers from the specialist unit departed for Magdeburg on Sunday afternoon.

The PSNV's range of services includes not only caring for those affected but also for the emergency services.

Mayor Frank Klingebiel emphasizes: "I was absolutely shocked when I heard about this attack, which claimed the lives of five people and injured well over 200 visitors to the Christmas market. For them, as well as for the countless emergency services, the past few days have been hard and psychologically very stressful and the coming days will continue to be for a long time to come. This is precisely why I am pleased and proud that our emergency chaplains are providing support on the ground and offering emotional support to victims and emergency services alike in this exceptional situation. Our sincere thanks go to all the full-time and volunteer emergency services on site. Their selfless commitment is a shining example to us all."

First City Councillor and Head of the Fire Department Eric Neiseke added: "I am proud of our psycho-social emergency care team. For me, accepting such a demanding assignment just before the holidays and being separated from your own family for a long time is the greatest sign of charity. I wish all the emergency services good luck and a safe return home."

Today, Monday, 23 December, the PSNV emergency services are once again on their way to Magdeburg to provide further support.