Set at the crossroads between education and everyday activities, the JKU and the Red Cross of Upper Austria are sending a joint signal in support of social commitment, paving the way to initiate new projects.

First Aid has a long tradition at the JKU as a regional Red Cross of Upper Austria branch has been located at the JKU Management Center since 1991. The "First Responder" team at the JKU consists of trained paramedics who either study or work at the JKU and in the event of an emergency, the qualified first responders are alerted via the 144 emergency number and dispatched to the JKU with their own emergency equipment. On average, the first responder team is deployed to the JKU approximately every two to three weeks, thereby guaranteeing fast, professional help!

New Linz "JKU" Station
Yesterday, following the first station meeting, this dedicated station was formally established as an independent Linz "JKU" station. In contrast to a field office, the local station is a separate legal entity with clearly defined organizational structures, responsibilities, and activities. The newly elected committee includes Claudia Schwarz (a long-standing volunteer at the Red Cross of Upper Austria, paramedic instructor and head of the local station, and designated department head for social planning and innovation at the Upper Austrian government), Alexander Freischlager (JKU Vice-Rector for Campus Enhancements, Digitalization & Sustainability), Andreas Stubinger (a law student and head of the volunteer group of JKU paramedics), and Kristof Harsanyi (the youth representative and a contact person for the first responder system).

Claudia Schwarz, the newly elected head of the local station, commented: "Setting up a Red Cross station at a university is unique, especially beyond Austria’s borders. We are bringing the best of two worlds together: Expertise and civic involvement, as well as research, direct action, and involvement."

Alexander Freischlager (JKU Vice-Rector for Campus Enhancements, Digitalization & Sustainability) added: "We want to give students an opportunity to engage in addressing social issues and showing initiative as part of their studies. To a certain extent, students can earn academic credit through social volunteering at the JKU and a local Red Cross of Upper Austria is an ideal opportunity in this regard. Our 24,000 students and 3,900 employees also feel safe knowing there is a professional first aid provider on-site."

Dr. Erich Gattner, district branch manager, remarked: "We are delighted to not only have expanded our existing locations to include Linz North, but also to have Claudia Schwarz on board as a competent, committed leader."

The new location will focus on sharing ideas relating to social commitment and societal cohesion within a university setting. The office serves as a hub for students, academics, and interested parties to facilitate joint discourse. The Red Cross' humanitarian values remain at the heart of these activities.