Heinersreuth now has a defibrillator
Heinersreuth is ready: Defibrillator training at the Heinersreuther Hof draws a large turnout
What should you do if someone suddenly collapses? What if their heart stops beating and every second counts? On March 23, around 50 residents and members of the Heinersreuth Volunteer Fire Department gathered at the Heinersreuther Hof to address exactly these questions. www.raps-stiftung.de
Heinersreuth, April 22, 2026
Prepared for an emergency
This follows the purchase of a publicly accessible defibrillator by the Adalbert-Raps-Stiftung, which operates the farm. The device was officially handed over to the Heinersreuth Volunteer Fire Department on April 14 and is mounted in a clearly visible location on the outside of the fire station, to the right of the gate. It is registered with the dispatch center and can be deployed quickly in an emergency. The defibrillator was installed and set up by the fire department itself. The device is valued at approximately 3,500 euros.
At the handover, Yola Klingel, Executive Director of Adalbert-Raps-Stiftung, emphasized the importance of the purchase: “We were delighted to support the purchase of this defibrillator. It provides a sense of security for all of us.” At the same time, she highlighted the expertise available on site: “It’s especially reassuring that all of our employees are also trained first responders. There’s always someone on the farm, and if in doubt, you can also come to us if you need help.” She added: “Of course, I still hope that we’ll never need the defibrillator.”
Mayor Anita Sack thanked the foundation for its dedication and highlighted the importance of the Heinersreuther Hof to the community: “It’s wonderful to have the Heinersreuther Hof here in our town; it’s a showcase property, and our community has already benefited greatly from it.”
Don't hesitate—take action
To ensure they could respond quickly and appropriately in an emergency, the Heinersreuth Volunteer Fire Department had already invited participants to attend the training session in advance. They were able to secure Tim Rochholz from the Bavarian Red Cross as an experienced instructor, who presented the topic in a clear, practical, and compelling manner.
It quickly became clear what matters most in an emergency: don’t hesitate—act. “Every heart cell we can supply with oxygen is worth its weight in gold,” explained Rochholz. Accordingly, cardiopulmonary resuscitation was the focus of the evening. With about 100 to 120 compressions per minute, the goal is to maintain circulation—even if it takes some effort. The fact that ribs may break in the process is secondary. What matters most is taking action in the first place.
Helping others takes practice
During the practical portion of the training, participants were able to apply what they had learned right away. They experimented, practiced, and asked questions—and in the process, they overcame their hesitation to take action. Simple mnemonics like the “Disco Rule”—Look, Speak, Touch—made it easier to remember the first steps.
The use of the defibrillator was also clearly explained. The device automatically detects the heart rhythm and delivers a life-saving electric shock if necessary. At the same time, Tim Rochholz emphasized that the defibrillator does not replace CPR, but rather complements it effectively. “Ideally, one person should immediately begin chest compressions while a second person fetches the defibrillator.”
The event took place in the barn at Heinersreuther Hof. Managing Director Kathrin Ranninger provided not only the venue but also snacks and drinks.
In Heinersreuth, several key elements now work together: a publicly accessible defibrillator, dedicated first responders, and the knowledge of how to act correctly in a critical moment.
