The Federal Association of the Security Industry (BDSW) has presented its Employee Award for the eighth time. With this award, the association honours employees who have demonstrated through exceptional actions the valuable contribution that the security industry makes every day in Germany.
Outstanding achievements deserve visibility – that is why three security guards were honoured again this year for their outstanding commitment in particularly challenging situations. A total of 13 applications were received from ten different companies – more than in the previous year. The high number demonstrates the diversity and professionalism of the security industry.
The chairman of the jury, BDSW Vice President Lutz Kleinfeldt, who also gave the laudatory speech at the award ceremony, made it clear that all the applications submitted for 2024 had shown how varied the challenges for security staff are and how excellently they are able to master them. This applies not only to colleagues who, like the award winners, have achieved particularly remarkable things, but also to those who do their job day in, day out, whether on site or on patrol, at events or in the emergency call centre.
However, the winners of the award stood out once again from the applications.
3rd place: Carlo Felski – Sicherheit Nord GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin
Mr Felski, shift supervisor at an asylum centre in Berlin, kept a cool head in a dramatic situation: he was informed that a blanket had been thrown out of a second-floor window and that something was moving inside it. It turned out to be a four-year-old boy who had been seriously injured after falling from the window. Mr Felski immediately coordinated all necessary measures together with his team. Thanks to his level-headed actions in such a shocking situation, the child was rescued and the police investigation was assisted. The incident impressively demonstrates how resilient and professional security forces are, even under extreme psychological pressure.
Second place: Furkan Akcadag – Westdeutscher Wach- und Schutzdienst Fritz Kötter SE & Co. KG, Dortmund
On New Year’s Eve, Mr Akcadag witnessed a serious accident on the B236 federal highway. A pedestrian had fallen over the guardrail, hit his head on the road and was lying lifeless on the ground. Without hesitation, Mr Akcadag began resuscitation – successfully. The injured man survived thanks to his decisive intervention. This behaviour is exemplary of the courage and sense of responsibility of many security personnel.
1st place: Nicole Marchlewitz – BRU Security GmbH, Naumburg
Ms Marchlewitz, property manager at Magdeburg University Hospital, spontaneously took charge after the attack on the Christmas market on 20 December 2024, even though she was off duty. She organised the security and coordination measures on site to care for the numerous injured. Her leadership skills, organisational talent and dedication made her a pillar of strength in crisis management. She was awarded first prize for her extraordinary efforts.
A strong signal for the industry
All the award winners – Ms Marchlewitz, Mr Akcadag and Mr Felski – have shown that employees like them are the figureheads of the industry and ensure that the security industry, which often has to contend with negative headlines, can also attract positive attention. They are all extremely important for the security industry.
