When the fire brigade and police are alerted, every minute counts. Unfortunately, however, the emergency services are increasingly being harassed and their work obstructed. A REWE retailer finds this intolerable and has set an example.
There have been shocking scenes in the media over the last few days: On New Year's Eve and even afterwards, rescue workers and police officers faced life-threatening attacks with firecrackers and rockets. Images that shocked millions of people, including Uli Budnik (69). Something has to be done, thought the outraged REWE merchant from Dortmund. "These professional groups in particular don't deserve this."
No sooner said than done. Without further ado, he set up a rescue lane at the checkout and service counters of his REWE store in Dortmund-Höchsten. Paramedics, firefighters and police officers now have priority and no longer have to wait in the queue. Eye-catching posters inform REWE customers and emergency services about the service. It reads: "Dear customers, out of respect and solidarity for the work of our firefighters, paramedics and police officers, we would like to give them priority in our store. Please make way for our helpers.
Tina & Uli Budnik and the REWE Homberg team"
We spoke briefly to Uli Budnik about how he came up with the idea and what his customers think of it.
"A little compensation"
Uli Budnik
one: Mr Budnik, how did the idea come about?
Uli Budnik: We have often experienced here in the shop that the emergency services drop everything when they are called out. That's why my wife Martina and I decided that these groups of people should be served and paid immediately at the sales counters and checkouts. This was triggered by the shocking images from New Year's Eve, which were outrageous. We see the preferential treatment of helpers as a small form of compensation. Incidentally, our partner, the Malzer bakery, is also supporting the campaign.
one: How are the target groups, customers and store employees being informed?
Budnik: We informed the employees personally. We sensitise our customers with loudspeaker announcements in the store and posters.
one: How have the reactions been?
Budnik: The reactions are through the roof, we're getting almost exclusively positive feedback from our customers, in the media, but also from many colleagues at REWE. I've often heard customers say to rescue workers before: 'Please go ahead'.
Both German and English comments appear here.
I think this campaign is great!!!! Since REWE has a good advertising department, such a campaign should be implemented immediately in all stores. Keep it up. And also a big thank you from me to all rescue workers!!!!
I think it's great, hopefully many other markets will follow suit. These professional groups deserve all the support they can get.
Super great campaign, I hope there will be many imitators :-)