Styria wins the national final in Vienna on the 25th anniversary of the SAFETY Tour
Vienna (OTS) – On June 18, 2024, the Austrian Civil Protection Association organized the national final of the SAFETY Tour – Child Safety Olympics in the Vienna Expedithalle for the 25th time. From numerous preliminary competitions in the regions and nine state final competitions, the participating elementary school classes qualified for the grand finale in Vienna. Around 20,000 children took part in the SAFETY Tour – Child Safety Olympics this year.
In the 25 years of the Austria-wide competitions, almost 360,000 children from Austria and neighboring countries have now taken part. Over 1,300 competitions were organized throughout Austria by the civil defense associations during this time.
„Civil protection associations have been organizing the Child Safety Olympics across the board for 25 years now. We are particularly proud that this year we can celebrate a quarter of a century of SAFETY Tour and at the same time a participant record. In this way, we will work together to bring the topic of safety into Austria’s elementary schools in an age-appropriate manner.
“ Andreas Hanger, President of the Austrian Civil Protection Association
At the celebratory award ceremony, the classes were recognized for their outstanding achievements and enjoyed thunderous applause from, among others, Federal Minister Gerhard Karner, Federal Minister Martin Polaschek, and city councilor Peter Hanke.
„20,000 children took part in the Safety Olympics and that is simply amazing. I would like to thank the volunteers of the Civil Defense Association, but above all the schools and the parents who made this possible
“, says Gerhard Karner.
„I am extremely pleased that the SAFETY Tour has been making a significant contribution to the safety education of our children for 25 years. The combination of playful learning and practical exercises is an excellent concept for preparing students for dangerous situations. I warmly congratulate all participants and would like to thank the civil protection associations for their great work
“, so Martin Polaschek.
The city councilor Peter Hanke, who is responsible for fire services and disaster control, was impressed: “The children’s theoretical and practical knowledge of safety and behavior in an emergency is really impressive. This shows once again how important the SAFETY Tour is, which conveys important content in a child-friendly and playful way. Even if only one class was able to become the best in the country today, all the children who took part in the competitions won. I warmly congratulate you.
“
The AUVA has supported the competitions for many years and is a strong partner of the civil defense associations.
„As part of the SAFETY Tour, students learn how to behave correctly in emergency situations. This means that more than 360,000 participating children have been prepared for dangerous situations in the 25-year success story of the SAFETY Tour. This is prevention in practice, which we are happy to support sustainably
“, emphasizes KR Peter Engelbrechtsmüller.
With skill and team spirit, VS Krakow was able to secure Austria-wide victory. This means that the title of “Austria’s safest elementary school class” goes to Styria for its 25th anniversary. Close behind in second place was VS Wals from Salzburg and in third place was VS Hopfgarten im Brixental from Tyrol.
Questions & Contact:
Austrian Civil Protection Association
Vanessa Kahr, press spokesperson
+43 (0) 664-88918167
presse@zivilschutz.at
www.zivilschutz.at