Düsseldorf (dpa / lnw) - North Rhine-Westphalia Interior Minister Herbert Reul sees no reason to panic, despite growing concerns about electricity and gas bottlenecks. The population must be able to rely on the "blue light family" - i.e. the police, fire brigade, rescue workers and civil protection, even if the power is away for a long time, said the CDU politician on Thursday in the interior committee of the Düsseldorf state parliament. In an emergency, if anything, the last place to go is the police. The minister emphasized: "Even if the situation is threatening, it is not unmanageable."
In his area of responsibility one is well prepared, reported Reul. "We have enough satellite phones to keep the police operational even if all the networks fail." The emergency power systems in the properties and at the digital radio base stations would be expanded. According to Reul, the fire brigade and civil protection are also well prepared in the area.
"Our own gas stations" are fully equipped with systems for emergency power operation, added the domestic politician. In addition, fuel tanks would be distributed across the country to remain mobile and operational in the area. The state government as a whole is prepared.
As part of the critical infrastructure, all essential areas in his Ministry of the Interior are protected by a triple secured power supply. It was only this week that they were checked again. According to the minister, North Rhine-Westphalia is highly dependent on electricity and gas, but he cannot put a precise figure on this. At the same time, Reul warned of extremists who, after Corona, were now trying to stir up fears of government failure in the wake of the energy crisis.
