Magdeburg (dpa/sa) - SPD domestic politician Rüdiger Erben has presented key points for a reform of the Disaster Control Act. "It is time that we fundamentally modernized the legal framework for civil protection in Saxony-Anhalt," explained Erben on Thursday. "This includes taking on the new challenges and thinking beyond the rigid boundaries between community averting danger, district civil protection and civil defense."
Erben, for example, proposes that several preliminary stages of a disaster be recorded in the law, an "extraordinary event" and the "disaster warning". In this way, the help of the necessary emergency services should be ensured if there is not yet a disaster. In addition, it should be defined what counts as critical infrastructure and how it can be secured.
In addition, the SPD politician suggests developing a concept for setting up a state reserve of disaster control material. Past crises have shown that keeping material in stock is more economical than having to procure it in a difficult situation. In addition, more volunteers than before should be able to claim time off and reimbursement during assignments. So far, only firefighters and recognized civil protection units could do this. However, employees of the water and mountain rescue units as well as the psychosocial emergency care should also benefit.
The SPD parliamentary group has sent the reform proposals to Interior Minister Tamara Zieschang (CDU). There will be a bill in the fall. According to the information, fire brigades and aid organizations can also contribute to the process with suggestions.
