In the ORF Landesfunkhaus Vorarlberg in Dornbirn, the security prizes of the “Competence Center Safe Austria” (KSÖ) took place on the evening of May 6, 2025-a joint event by the State Police Directorate Vorarlberg, Raiffeisenlandesbank Vorarlberg, “Vorarlberger Nachrichten” and ORF Vorarlberg. The award goes to people who have not hesitated in challenging situations, but rather traded it courageously – often under personal risk. At this festive event, twelve Vorarlbergers were honored for their outstanding achievements and support for the Vorarlberg police.
Twelve awards for courage and civil courage
Johann Trießnig, Haris Durakovic, Barbara Niederer, Marcel Aberer, Simon Schallert, Dominik Gerold, Günther Neubacher, Nora Fejzaj, Elvis Fejzaj, Petra Liensberger, Heidi Albrich and Desiree Ruppitsch are the name of the committed women and men who were awarded the security prize of the “Competence Center Safe Austria” (KSÖ).
The honored showed in an impressive way how diverse civil courage in Vorarlberg can be: whether quick help with attacks, courageous intervention in the event of break -in or prudent action in acute dangerous situations – each of these deeds exemplifies willingness to work, courage and social sense of responsibility. The awarding of the KSÖ security prices 2025 again made it clear: it does not always need uniform or office to be a role model. The decision is enough not to look away.
Large stage in the ORF Landesfunkhaus Vorarlberg
ORF state director Markus Klement welcomed the numerous guests. According to the introductory words of President Harald Sonderegger, moderator Christiane Schwald-Pösel from ORF Vorarlberg spoke to the CEO of the Raiffeisenlandesbank Vorarlberg, Michael Alge (KSÖ Vorarlberg) and General Secretary Alexander Janda (KSÖ Austria). Both emphasized how crucial it was to take responsibility at the sceny moments – and that exactly that civil courage strengthens social cohesion. In particular, they thanked the excellent for their remarkable use. The documents also presented the deputy state police director Gerhard Ellensohn and UN editor-in-chief Isabel Russ. The police music Music Vorarlberg provided the musical accompaniment and the festive framework.
Numerous prominent guests
In the fully occupied public studio of the ORF Vorarlberg, in addition to many uniformed police officers from all four district police commands and the various police inspections in Vorarlberg, there were also: Gunther Hessel (military commander Vorarlberg), Bernhard Heinzle (President Labor Chamber Vorarlberg), Angelika Prechtl -Marte (President Landesgericht Feldkirch), Wilfried Siegele (Senior Prosecutor of the Feldkirch public prosecutor’s office), Philipp Stadler (Head of State Criminal Police Office Vorarlberg), Tatjana Ratz (Head of Public Relations State Police Directorate Vorarlberg), Sonja Nachbaur (Head of District Court Feldkirch), Herbert Burtscher (district captain Feldkirch), Martina Schönherr (Head Department of Interior and Security Vorarlberg), Mario Leiter (State Party Chairman SPÖ Vorarlberg), Christian Netzer (Children’s and Youth Attorney), Johannes Pircher-Sanou (Head of the Neustart), Lea Putz-Erath (Managing Director “Femail” Information and Services for Women), the Mayor Markus Fäßler (Dornbirn), Thomas Lampert (Göfis) and Joachi Fritz (Mittelberg and Member of the Landtag FPÖ), Selina Hörler (project manager KSÖ), Wilfried Hopfner (former President of the Vorarlberg Chamber of Commerce), Manfred Bliem (former state police commander Vorarlberg), Elmar Marent (former security director Vorarlberg) and Angelika Simma-Wallinger (chief editor Orf Vorarlberg).