I need to make a clarification on my comments about how the German conscription relates to their volunteer fire service. I may have left the impression that the hundreds of VFD’s are staffed with people who are doing their national service and that’s only partly true. The local fire departments are set up just like those in North America, primarily operated by the citizens of the community.
But when a young man has to start his service, he has a few choices. First is going into the army for 9 months and that is an occupation where he is on the payroll and works for the military. There is also an alternative called “civilian service” that is also paid where they work in the national health system instead of the army (conscientious objectors position). The other path open is to serve as an “exempt person” where you serve without pay for six years in a civil protection/disaster control organization. That can be either the fire service, an EMS squad, lifeguards, etc.
As an exempt person you are not paid by the state, it is like being a volunteer with the mandatory requirement of being involved for the six years. Naturally, many of the men who choose the fire service (feuerwehr) stay with it voluntarily for many years beyond. But during their 6 years exempt service they are subject to being called to perform anywhere in the country at a time of need.
I hope that clears it up. If it doesn’t, then you’ll just have to go over there and see for yourself how they do it, because I’m getting confused myself. But they do have very good beer over there. Speaking of beer…..
A reporter for the New York Post recently interviewed Dr. Malcolm Lloyd, a physician and former clinical researcher who said, “A lot of research shows that people who drink moderately flat-out live longer than those who don’t. From the prevention of the common cold to the prevention of the onset of Alzheimer’s to preventing certain types of cancer, regular drinking can be very beneficial.”
Whereas most research has focused on wine, he says spirits can provide the same boon. Lloyd notes that “moderation” means one to two drinks a day for women and one to three drinks a day for men, and, “the positive effects start going in the other direction” once those numbers are exceeded. I guess that means I have to start counting?
We’ll have to save that for later. It’s time to get the equipment checked out while I go make another pot of that healthy alternative.
