Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund Deutschland e.V.  (ASB)

In 1888 six carpenters from Berlin asserted the first "training course on First Aid in accidents" against a great deal of resistance. They are the founding fathers of today’s Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund (ASB) and gave substantial momentum to emergency rescue in Germany.

Today the ASB is a modern relief and charity organisation throughout Germany with more than one million members. The First Aid training, the medical and rescue service as well as the disaster management are among its classical fields of work. In addition, it offers a broad range of supervision possibilities for old and sick people or people with a disability. Children are promoted and supported in ASB kindergartens, crèches and child day care centres as well as integrative facilities. The Worker Samaritan Youth (ASJ), the independent youth association of the ASB, promotes the social engagement of children and youths. The ASB overseas aid focuses on the international emergency aid in the event of a disaster as well as on reconstruction measures and structural aid. From the head office in Cologne the international patient return transport service of the ASB organises the worldwide transport for sick members and customers or those who have been injured in an accident.

Around 21,000 full-time employees as well as more than 17,500 voluntary helpers support the ASB in its work. The basis of the organisation are formed by 224 regional, district and local organisations as well as 111 GmbH (Private Limited Companies) and gGmbH (Non-profit making private limited companies), which are federated in 16 regional organisations.