Does more need to be done for civil protection in times of war and crisis? Yes, say the fire brigades in the southwest. 500 delegates meet for an association day in Lahr, Baden.
Lahr (dpa / lsw) - In view of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, the fire brigade association in the south-west is campaigning for improved civil protection. This requirement should also be discussed at the association day on Saturday (9.30 a.m.) in Lahr (Ortenaukreis) in Baden. Around 500 delegates from the Baden-Württemberg fire brigades are expected to attend the meeting.
According to the association's president, Frank Knödler, civil protection has been neglected in Germany for decades. The associated civil protection, i.e. the protection of the civilian population against war-related dangers, was "not operational", Knödler had criticized in September.
Civil protection is a task of the federal government. Knödler had appealed to the federal government to provide the necessary finance for civil protection. This also includes civil protection, for which the federal states are responsible.
Heat waves pose additional challenges for fire brigades. In the summer, the authorities had warned of the risk of forest fires in large parts of the country because of the drought. Fires blazed several times. Around 183,000 people belong to the fire brigades in the southwest. Almost all of them are volunteers.
