When Rainer became a first-aider at the site in Mulfingen in 1988 alongside his job in quality assurance, he had no idea that this was just the first of many steps that would lead him to his current role in corporate health management. At the age of 14, Rainer became a school paramedic and later joined the German Red Cross. This passion – especially for providing help in emergency situations – remains unchanged to this day.
In 2002, Rainer becomes a corporate paramedic. As such, he now helps when colleagues feel ill or have been injured. The corporate paramedics work hand in hand with the first-aiders. However, they have a broader knowledge of emergency care. At the Mulfingen site, a total of 28 corporate paramedics currently provide care to employees with more serious injuries or illnesses. In emergency situations, they also have to keep an overview and remain calm in order to, for example, bring external emergency services to the scene and support them.
"I want to do good: for people and for the company. And I enjoy interacting with other employees and putting my empathy to good use."
Rainer, Corporate Health Management
In 2020, the coronavirus pandemic called for Rainer's increased involvement. As part of a coronavirus task force, he and his team of corporate paramedics are supporting the company doctor with the extensive testing, implementing the legal infection protection measures and organizing a large-scale vaccination campaign together with a group set up specifically for this purpose.
At this point, Rainer's tasks in this area take up such a large part of his working day that the next step is inevitable: He changes direction and leaves his previous job in quality assurance and becomes one of four permanent team members in corporate health management. A decision he doesn't regret. He speaks enthusiastically about his new job with its many facets. Not one day is like the next, and there are always new challenges in store for him.
"It's just great to be able to use my skills to help people in an emergency situation and to receive plenty of thanks almost every day."
Rainer, Corporate Health Management
Today, there is much more on the agenda in addition to his work as a corporate paramedic. Thanks to further education at the German Red Cross to become a trainer, Rainer now takes on some of the training of the 350 first-aiders himself. He takes care of regular check-ups such as eye tests, blood pressure and blood sugar measurements, orders materials, maintains all medical equipment and checks the first-aid rooms. The emergency care infrastructure in Mulfingen has improved significantly in recent years: all corporate paramedics now have their own rescue backpacks and a number of defibrillators are available. Rainer and his colleagues have also set up central emergency numbers for each project group to ensure that help is available quickly at all times.
However, Rainer's drive is as strong as ever. He always sees more potential for development and improvement. In order to be able to implement these plans, he is happy to hear from anyone who is keen to become a first-aider or corporate paramedic. After all, to ensure the health of the employees in the future, young employees are needed who enjoy interacting with people, taking on exciting challenges and learning for life. With social commitment and a great deal of empathy.