- More false alarms at fire stations
The number of false alarms has continued to rise among Thuringian fire departments in the past year. In total, there were 6,347 false alarms in the state in 2023, an increase of 2.1% from the previous year, according to Karsten Utterodt, chairman of the Thuringian Firefighters' Association, at the presentation of the new fire and disaster protection report in Weimar. This is a new record in the five-year comparison and a particular burden on the volunteer firefighters.
Smoke detectors and misuse: Causes of false alarms
The causes of false alarms can be very varied. One of the main reasons is certainly the mandatory equipping of buildings with smoke detectors, said Interior Minister Georg Maier (SPD). However, the report also shows that the misuse of the emergency call has increased - from 190 cases in 2022 to 292 in the past year. Many of those responsible for such alarms are not aware that they are committing a criminal offense.
In total, 33,341 volunteer and 1,106 professional firefighters were active in the state last year. This is around 400 more active members than in 2022, Maier emphasized. The firefighters performed almost half a million hours of duty for assistance and firefighting. The number of deployments increased by more than 38,000.
The fire departments were called out to fight fires more than 5,000 times. Although fewer fires were recorded than in 2022, the number is still very high in the long-term comparison. 19 people died in fires last year - 15 fewer than in 2022.
Increase in youth fire departments
Maier was particularly pleased with the growth in youth fire departments. The number of members in youth fire departments increased by 608 to 15,573 last year, a 3.9% increase from 2022. This continues the growth trend that has been ongoing since 2013. In some fire departments, there is even a waiting list. Many children and young people have found their way to the fire department after the corona pandemic, Maier said. Especially in rural areas, there is great interest.
The fire departments in the state are well-staffed both personnel and technically. The state spent around 45 million euros for fire and disaster protection last year, around 10 million euros more than in 2022. This year, this amount will increase significantly to 70 million euros. "Safety is not being neglected," said the minister.
Protecting against disasters is a crucial aspect of fire and disaster protection, as highlighted by the increased funds allocated to this sector by the state, reaching 70 million euros this year. Misuse of emergency calls and high numbers of false alarms, including those triggered by smoke detectors, can put an unnecessary burden on volunteer and professional firefighters, emphasizing the need for appropriate protection measures and education.
