Energy instead of clichés: Yannic Diehm and his commitment to the fire department

Wertheim, May 4, 2025 - The millennial generation is often confronted with prejudices: Critics accuse young people of having a weak work ethic, not caring about social responsibility and instead being constantly engrossed in smartphones and social media. However, these critical voices often overlook the fact that there are numerous counter-examples. One such example is Yannic Diehm, an IT employee at Lutz Pumpen GmbH in Wertheim. The 28-year-old has been involved in the volunteer fire department in Bettingen - a village in the district town of Wertheim with around 800 inhabitants - since he was a teenager.

While others are relaxing on the couch in the evening, Yannic Diehm keeps an eye on the pager in his trouser pocket. If the small device sounds the alarm, he goes out - be it to fires, accidents or natural disasters. Without volunteers like him, an important pillar of society would be missing. Around 95 percent of all firefighters in Germany today are volunteers. "We are proud that our employees not only take responsibility in their professional lives, but also in their free time," says Heinz Lutz, Managing Director of Lutz Holding. "Yannic Diehm's commitment to the volunteer fire department is an impressive demonstration of his team spirit and willingness to help - values that we actively promote and value as a company." Currently, 16 Lutz Pumpen employees are active in volunteer fire departments alongside their professional lives.

This is what commitment looks like: around 60 deployments and 30 exercises per year

Yannic Diehm has been involved in the Bettingen volunteer fire department, which was founded in 1875, since his youth. He joined the youth fire department at the age of ten to familiarize himself with the tasks of fire protection, technical assistance and first aid. At regular meetings, he learned basic firefighting skills, practiced using equipment and took part in competitions. He finally joined the active service at the age of 18. Since then, the pager has been his constant companion, calling him to action around 60 times a year. Yannic Diehm and his colleagues provide technical assistance in traffic accidents and natural disasters, remove hazardous substances and fight fires. "I still remember one operation on the highway. We could see a huge cloud of black smoke from afar. It was a truck that was on fire," says Diehm.

In addition to deployments, Diehm takes part in exercises and training around 30 times a year. He is now not only a squad leader, but also an engine driver. In this role, he is allowed to operate and maintain fire engines and their equipment. This also involves using technology from Lutz Pumpen. The rescue vehicle with the radio call sign Wertheim 1/52 is equipped with a double diaphragm pump, which Diehm can use to pump out leaking liquids such as acids, alkalis, petrol and oil. "The strong team spirit and the certainty that we can help people in need make working for the volunteer fire department very valuable for me," says Diehm.

Yannic Diehm inspires young people to volunteer

As deputy head of the youth fire department, Yannic Diehm is also actively involved in promoting young talent. "It's a real challenge to get young people to volunteer, as there are so many leisure activities competing for their attention these days," explains Diehm. But his work and that of his colleagues is proving successful. According to the Ministry of the Interior, the number of youth fire department members in Baden-Württemberg has risen by 13.5 percent in recent years. The number of girls between the ages of six and 17 in particular has increased by 47 percent. "It's a great feeling when young people realize that their involvement in the volunteer fire department can change the world."

About Lutz Holding GmbH

Lutz Holding GmbH has stood for professional fluid management since 1954. The group of companies unites internationally active companies in pump technology as well as water treatment and disinfection and is present in over 80 countries worldwide with 16 sales and production sites. The group includes Lutz Pumpen GmbH in Wertheim, Lutz-Jesco GmbH in Wedemark and Lutz-Jesco Suisse SA in Couvet, Switzerland. The portfolio includes pumps, systems and accessories for dosing, conveying, emptying and mixing processes for a wide range of media. Lutz Group products are used in numerous industries, including the chemical industry, food industry, automotive production, water and wastewater treatment as well as the paint and coatings industry.