Herbert Zambra: New district chief of the East Tyrolean mountain rescue!

Herbert Zambra: New district chief of the East Tyrolean mountain rescue!

Lienz, Österreich - On June 6, 2025 there is a change at the top of the East Tyrolean mountain rescue. Peter Ladstätter, the popular district manager, says goodbye after five successful terms. In an emotional farewell speech, he reviewed the ups and downs of his time. The tragic accident death of Franz Franzeskon was also mentioned, which leaves deep traces in the community. TVB boss Franz Theurl described Ladstätter as an institution in the East Tyrolean mountain rescue and praised his tireless efforts. With Standing Ovations, the outgoing district manager was adopted by those present, which underlines its importance for the organization, reports the East Tyrolean Bote.

Now Herbert Zambra takes over the management. Zambra, who previously headed the Lienz local office, has many years of experience as a mountain rescuer. In his inaugural speech, he made it clear that he was not the "head of the mountain rescuers", but an interface, while the local position manager acts as the "bosses" of the mountain rescue. This shows his modest way and the team gate within the organization. The details of the annual general meeting will be reported in detail in the next print edition of the East Tyrolean messenger.

challenges of mountain rescue

The year 2024 was extremely challenging for the East Tyrolean mountain rescue. Throughout the year, the mountain rescue tirol moved to a total of 3,469 missions. This marks a decline of 159 missions compared to 2022. In the eight East Tyrolean local offices, 536 volunteer mountain rescuers are currently active: inside, including 23 women. In 2024 the mountain rescuers worked: inside on 208 missions, with 2,661 operations alerted by the Tyrol control center. In addition, there were 808 alarms in the Tyrolean ski areas, which illustrates the enormous range of missions in the region.

The East Tyrolean rescue organization has a demanding responsibility because it covers a sixth of the country of Tyrol, including the famous Hotspots Großglockner and Grand Veneeder. Long approaches often lead and carrying heavy loads to special challenges. Especially in the Venice and Glockner Group, elaborate rescue operations are necessary due to glaciers and columns. The weather conditions sometimes even make the use of helicopter impossible, so that the mountain rescuers are dependent on floor -bound missions.

A particularly difficult deployment occurred on January 5, when three mountaineers from the Czech Republic at the Großglockner came in need. Despite the adverse weather conditions, they had started a climbing tour, but finally had to give up and asked for help. Kals's mountain rescue opened with 13 men and a police mountain guide to the Archdow-Johann hut in strong snowfall and wind. At 5:00 a.m. they were able to locate the mountaineers at around 3,500 meters, but the salvage took around 15 hours due to fresh snow and darkness, which underlines the critical location.

For more information on the missions and the mountain rescue in Tirol, it is worth a visit to the official website of the mountain rescue tirol . The challenges that the mountain rescue awaits in the coming years will not be less, but with a like Herbert Zambra at the top, you can be excited to see how the organization will continue to grow and develop.