Armin, how would you introduce yourself to someone who doesn’t know you or your work yet?
Armin: Hi, I’m Armin and I work at EnBW in preventive fire protection. I make sure that risks don’t arise in the first place.
You make sure that employees can work safely. What is the biggest challenge in your job?
Armin: The biggest challenge is raising awareness about how important personal safety is. Many people only react when something has already happened. I think that’s the wrong approach. My goal is to identify risks early and prevent accidents before anyone gets hurt.
What makes your work in preventive fire protection special to you personally?
Armin: What matters most to me is the impact our work has. When we raise awareness through training and people carry that awareness into their daily lives, we’ve already achieved a great deal. At the same time, I appreciate the variety from working with people to addressing structural issues or implementing small changes with a big impact.
Where did this early fascination with the fire department and safety come from?
Armin: I was already active in the volunteer fire department as a child. My parents are actually partly to “blame” for that. We lived right next to the fire station, and even as a child I was completely fascinated by both the technology and the dedication of the volunteers. As soon as a vehicle pulled up, I was outside, whether it was a drill or an actual call. I always wanted to be there and helped out whenever I was allowed to. I found the combination of technology and the idea of being able to help others in difficult situations particularly exciting.
When I was 13, I had a serious bicycle accident involving a truck
How did that incident change your life and your perspective on safety?
Armin: It really did change my life dramatically. I was 13 and had my whole youth ahead of me, and from one second to the next, nothing was the same as it had been before. I woke up in the hospital at some point, surrounded by equipment, cables, and beeping machines, strapped to the bed and physically scarred. In a moment like that, you don’t even understand at first what has happened.
That experience shapes you profoundly. You have to relearn so many things, and above all, your outlook on life changes. Things that seemed important before lose their significance, and you realize how precious health really is. Because unlike so many other things, you can’t just replace it.
For me, it also had concrete consequences: My dream job at the time being a professional firefighter—was suddenly no longer an option. At the same time, my perspective on safety has completely changed. I’m much more aware of my surroundings and potential risks because I know that it’s often the little things that can have a big impact. In my case, it was “being in the wrong place at the wrong time,” but in hindsight, you also realize that many such situations could have been avoided if there had been a stronger awareness of safety.
What helped you the most during this difficult time to keep moving forward?
Armin: During times like this, you quickly realize who’s really there for you. My family and friends gave me an incredible amount of strength. They kept coming to the hospital and brought me a little piece of life from the outside world. That helped me rediscover my zest for life and look ahead.
Today, you’ve turned your passion into a career anyway. What does that mean to you personally?
Armin: Yes, that’s right. I’m still active in the fire department and can pursue my passion professionally, just from a different perspective. While in the fire department you often see the aftermath of an incident, preventive fire safety is all about making sure it doesn’t get that far in the first place. For me personally, that means I’ve found my path. I’ve found my place and enjoy my work, and that’s very important to me.
How did that come about, and how did you end up in fire safety?
Armin: I started out in the company’s IT hotline—now called the service desk—and, to be honest, I never really looked at the internal job board. It was more of a coincidence that I happened to check it out at that exact moment. A position was posted there for a specialist in special fire safety tasks. It was immediately clear to me: This is my chance to turn my hobby into a career. So I applied.
How did you end up at EnBW?
Armin: After completing my apprenticeship, I started working at a small IT firm in 2001. However, due to the events of September that same year, many projects there were halted, which hit the company hard. Since I had only been with the company for a short time, I had to leave as early as 2002. After that, I applied to larger companies and was eventually invited to interview at EnBW. Even though the position didn’t exactly match my original application, it was a good fit for my profile. After a trial period, I received an offer, and I haven’t regretted that decision to this day.
You’ve been with the company for over 24 years now. What convinced you to stay back then, and what keeps you at EnBW to this day?
Armin: At first, EnBW was just one of many companies to me. It wasn’t until the application process that I looked into it more closely and quickly realized that job security and opportunities for growth were what mattered most to me. A large company like EnBW offers both. The turning point for me came in 2007 when I moved to the Occupational Safety and Preventive Fire Protection department. Since then, I’ve felt like I’ve truly found my place. I enjoy my work, and it motivates me to see that what I do actually makes a difference.
You are a specialist for special tasks in preventive fire safety. What does this role actually entail in your day-to-day work? What does a typical day look like for you?
Armin: My day-to-day work is very varied, and that’s exactly what makes my job so special. There isn’t really a standard daily routine. Sometimes I work at the computer drafting documents; other times I’m out in the field with my colleagues. There are training sessions and meetings for a wide variety of projects. At the same time, however, a fire alarm or an incident can completely change the day at any moment. On top of that, there are evacuation drills or inspections, during which I check, for example, whether emergency exits are clear or if there are any potential hazards. If there are any issues, I address them directly with the responsible parties.
What topics and responsibilities do you oversee at the Karlsruhe location?
Armin: In the area of preventive fire safety, we have no direct authority to issue instructions our role is primarily advisory. This is also stipulated by law. We support employees and managers with all questions related to fire safety and ensure that regulations are followed. If we notice anything, we address the responsible parties directly and assist with the implementation of the necessary measures. We only intervene directly in acute emergency situations. My specific tasks at the Karlsruhe site include, among other things, conducting regular inspections, organizing evacuation drills, drafting and updating fire safety regulations, and training staff.
Has there been a situation where you were particularly aware that your work had actually prevented something from happening?
Armin: Situations like that actually happen time and again. You often notice it most when something has happened and you realize afterward that it turned out well because the measures taken beforehand were effective. That’s when you really realize how important your work is.
What is your experience working with colleagues, managers, and other departments at EnBW?
Armin: It always depends a bit on the topic. In most cases, I find the collaboration to be very positive. Many people are grateful for our input and support. Of course, there are also situations where you have to do more to convince people. Especially when it comes to safety, you sometimes notice that awareness varies. That’s exactly where we step in and try to clearly convey the importance of the issue.
If you had to describe your work in three words, what would they be?
Armin: Preventive. Responsible. Meaningful.