Richard Freicham elected as the new regional manager of the Salzburg mountain rescue service

Richard Freicham elected as the new regional manager of the Salzburg mountain rescue service

An important voice in the Salzburg mountain rescue was newly elected: Richard Freicham will take over the management of the state organization for the next three years. At an extraordinary state assembly of the Austrian mountain rescue service, State Organization Salzburg, he received the mandate that he had held interimistic since May 8, 2023. Freicham, an experienced mountain rescuer from the Pongau and in the civil profession at the Austrian Armed Forces in St. Johann im Pongau, was happy about the trust that he is shown. "There is a lot to do in our mountains," said Freicham, who previously showed great commitment as head of the St. Johann in Pongau and deputy head of the state. Around 1,450 volunteer mountain rescuers are available in Salzburg to help and save human life in an emergency.

What's new in mountain rescue? During this meeting, Joachim König was also elected as second deputy state manager. The 44-year-old King brings in his experience as a professional soldier and former training and operations manager for the Lungau mountain rescue service. At his side is Wolfgang Gadermayr from the Hallein local office, who was appointed to the position of first deputy state manager in April. The 60-year-old civil engineer has designed an “Agenda 2028” that outlines some of the challenges for Salzburg mountain rescue.

Focus on the future of mountain rescue

Agenda 2028 focuses on maintaining mountain rescue as a civilian voluntary organization and pursues several goals. This includes, among other things, transparent decisions, the relief of officials and the strengthening of local offices. Ensuring outstanding training for all members is also a top priority. Another important concern is financing according to the three-pillar principle, which consists of offsetting, sponsorship contributions and donations.

Looking back on the last few months, Freiham drew a positive balance and at the same time gave an outlook for 2026. These include, among other things, the modernization of working time management and workplace design, both of which are crucial for improving the working conditions of mountain rescuers.

Activities and engagement

The Salzburg mountain rescue is not only well prepared when it comes to rescue operations, but also actively presented in public. In autumn you will be represented at the Alpinmesse in Innsbruck with your own information stand. In addition, the preparations for a disaster relief are based on a federal law to support rescue and civil protection organizations. Four modules for tools and equipment are planned for this in Lungau, Pongau, Pinzgau and Salzburg/Tennengau.

Overall, it is clear that the Austrian Mountain Rescue Service (ÖBRD) not only acts as a reliable institution in alpine terrain, but also has the goal of preventing human suffering and protecting life and health. You can read more about this on the ÖBRD website, which, as a legally recognized aid and rescue organization, will continue to play a central role in emergencies in the future. Further details can also be found at ORF Salzburg and Bergrettung.