Cart Providing humanitarian relief and emergency support
04/13
TI employee Alexander Hoisl has a passion for helping others and has devoted 25 years toward putting this passion into practice.
TI employee Alexander Hoisl has a passion for helping others and has dedicated the majority of his free time toward putting this passion into practice. In everyday life, he works as a process engineer technician at TI's facility in Freising, Germany. He is also a member of the site's emergency response team.
Outside of his TI responsibilities, Alexander has volunteered for the Technisches Hilfswerk (THW) during the past 25 years. The THW is a Federal agency for technical relief controlled by the German government. The agency consists of over 83,000 members, 99 percent of which are volunteers offering support during and after natural disasters. The THW provides humanitarian relief both locally and internationally.
As a THW volunteer, Alexander has been responsible for several key tasks. He is in charge of ensuring that all volunteers receive the proper training on how to use, operate and handle hydraulic rescue tools for use in accidents and disasters. He also specializes in securing and stabilizing damaged buildings.
Alexander's engineering prowess is useful in his volunteer role since he regularly supports the maintenance and repair of THW equipment, including its fleet of emergency vehicles and specialized tools.
His work, training and experience with the THW have also enabled him to represent his TI department as a consultant in the case of an emergency. This means after a serious incident has occurred, Alexander would be one of the first to respond and offer his support to the local authorities, ensuring the safety of his colleagues.
"I guess you could call it the 'art of improvisation' that has come with years of volunteer experience. Imagine being called to duty and expected to be prepared for all circumstances and situations, and coming up with solutions that will also ensure the safety of the other volunteers. There have been so many experiences, and it's a great feeling when you are able to help."
— Alexander Hoisl
Supporting citizens in need
The positive feeling that stems from helping others is what keeps Alexander motivated as a volunteer.
"Knowing the work that all of the THW volunteers are doing really benefits people in need is what makes my volunteering role worthwhile," Alexander said.
During his many years of service with the THW, Alexander's responsibility within the organization has grown. For the past 15 years he has led a team of 12 volunteers, keeping them motivated, determined and focused during extreme conditions that would test even the most experienced emergency-service and rescue workers.
"The TI Founders Community Service award honors me, and our organization," Alexander said. "It shows how much TI cares about and values my work as a volunteer."
