Berlin evening: Fire brigade and Bundeswehr strengthen cooperation for more security

Berlin evening: Fire brigade and Bundeswehr strengthen cooperation for more security

Community and security: A look at the parliamentary evening of the fire brigade in Berlin

The parliamentary evening of the German fire brigades, which recently took place in the Berlin-Tiergarten government fire station, brought together a remarkable number of more than 420 participants, including members of the Bundestag, fire guides and representatives from business and administration. This event aimed to promote the dialogue on central issues of fire security and to emphasize the importance of civil-military cooperation.

an outstanding concern of the discussion was the strengthening of the resilience of the population. DFV President Karl-Heinz Banse emphasized that it was time to encourage citizens to take responsibility themselves and not to trust the fire brigade alone. "The perfect dependency on the fire brigade is no longer up to date," he said. This request for personal responsibility was particularly evident in view of the challenges associated with natural disasters and other emergencies.

An important aspect of the event was the presentation of the 2nd survey on the subject of violence against emergency services, which the German Fire Brigade Association performs in cooperation with the German statutory accident insurance. Banse called on all emergency services to participate in this survey to create a comprehensive database that could be important for political decisions.

Special attention also received the announced international fire brigade competitions, which will take place in Berlin in 2026. Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser assured her support and emphasized that firefighters from all over the world will make an important contribution to strengthening international exchange. "These events are not only a competition, but also an excellent opportunity to appreciate our emergency services," she said.

The close cooperation between the Bundeswehr and the fire brigades was also the focus of the event. Lieutenant General André Bodemann, Commander of the Bundeswehr Territorial Management Command, spoke about the need for a common overall defense. "In times of hybrid threats, the fire brigade and Bundeswehr are natural partners," he emphasized. This close connection is essential in order to be able to effectively master the challenges in times of crisis.

Faeser recognized both the importance of the fire brigades and the basis of trust between civil society and the military forces. "We can always count on the fire brigade, especially in times that are serious. Your work is of an indispensable value for society," she said.

Overall, the evening not only put the success of the German Fire Brigade Association, but also the challenges that are still to be managed, especially with regard to the guarantee of security and protection of citizens in a changing environment.