Firefighters' association demands money for forest fire engines

Civil protection - Firefighters' association demands money for forest fire engines

As a consequence of storms and forest fires, Germany's fire departments are demanding more support from the federal government for the purchase of suitable emergency vehicles. "Many states are in the process of procuring new vehicles. The federal government also has a role to play here," said Karl-Heinz Banse, President of the German Fire Brigade Association, to the German Press Agency. "Fires do not stop at national borders. The federal government can't get out of the way."

Fire and disaster protection in Germany is the responsibility of the federal states. "We have forest fires and floods on a scale that we have never seen before," said Banse. It therefore happens that vehicles procured by local authorities reach their limits. "With a chassis that I use in Berlin city center or other municipalities, for example, I can't go off-road for a long time," he explained.

"It was recognized after the events that we have deficits. We are starting to procure." According to the head of the association, however, there is sometimes a lack of money in municipal budgets and a lack of capacity at the manufacturers of emergency vehicles. "It can happen that you wait up to three years for a new vehicle."

Demand for better civil protection

"We need to do more now for the equipment," demanded Banse. Following the billions in special funds for the Bundeswehr, civil protection must now also be strengthened. "When the state says that we have to defend ourselves externally, we must not forget about internal security." In addition to the police, this also includes civil protection with fire and rescue services.

Against the backdrop of the difficult federal budget negotiations, Banse warned against cuts to the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance. "That would be a completely wrong signal for us." Funds that could not be spent in 2023 should be carried over to the new year. "We're talking about a high double-digit million amount here."

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1. Despite the challenging weather conditions with frequent storms and forest fires, Germany's fire departments are struggling with outdated emergency vehicles.
2. The President of the Fire Brigade Association, Karl-Heinz Banse, emphasized the need for federal government support in purchasing suitable forest fire engines.
3. Banse pointed out that forest fires and floods in Germany are occurring on a scale never seen before, causing local authorities to exceed their vehicle limits.
4. In Berlin, for example, a fire department vehicle's off-road capabilities are limited due to its urban chassis.
5. The association president called for immediate action to improve equipment, following the significant funding for the Bundeswehr, and highlighted the importance of internal security.
6. The Fire and Disaster Protection Association warned against budget cuts to the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance, which would send a wrong message in light of emergency vehicle waiting times reaching up to three years.
7. A high double-digit million amount of unspent funds from 2023 could be carried over to 2024 to strengthen civil protection, including fire and rescue services, according to Banse.
8. Within the context of increased weather-related emergencies, such as snow chaos in Bavaria or storms sweeping across the country, the Fire Department Association underlined the importance of well-equipped civil protection services.

Source: www.stern.de