Climate change demands: Germany's civil and disaster protection must change!

Climate change demands: Germany's civil and disaster protection must change!

Deutschland - On March 20, 2025, Karl-Heinz Banse, President of the German Fire Brigade Association (DFV), pointed out that due to the noticeable effects of climate change and geopolitical changes, there is an urgent need for action in civil and disaster protection. In an official message, the DFV Presidium addressed federal politics with a comprehensive position paper that underlines the need for investments in civil defense. This initiative follows Russia's attack in Ukraine in 2022, which has destabilized the European Peace Ordinance.

„Deutschland und seine Bevölkerung müssen wehrhafter und resilienter werden“, stellte Banse klar. In the position paper, a realignment of the security policy strategies is required. This includes the need for a holistic view that takes into account both military and civil defense aspects. The document outlines concrete measures for coping with crisis, including improving the equipment of disaster protection units as well as promoting training, citizen participation and international cooperation. According to Banse, successful coping with future challenges can only be carried out by coordinated cooperation between all relevant actors, from state institutions to industry, as is also explained in the specialist report of the German Fire Brigade Association, which was also made accessible.

necessary measures and strategies

The position paper calls for a comprehensive and flexible strategy for population protection that is based on the current threats. The important points include the existing implementation of the equipment programs, which should ensure that the disaster protection units are well positioned both nationally and internationally. Banse emphasizes the importance of resilience among the population and the need to actively involve citizens in emergency planning.

The proposed measures hopes that Germany will be able to react effectively to future crises and to ensure the safety of the population. This topic is also reflected in the specialist report, which provides further details and strategies on this important topic, and shows that close cooperation between different areas is indispensable in order to be able to successfully pass the challenges of the future. Further information can be found in the full position paper and specialist report, as reported by fireworld.at.