Interior Minister Herrmann, Lieutenant General Bodemann, Vice-President of the County Council Dr Bär and the President of the State Office for Civil Protection Zacher on the current challenges facing civil protection and civil defence – clear guidelines and viable funding agreements from the federal government are required
Bavaria’s Minister of the Interior, Joachim Herrmann, today invited all Bavarian district administrators and mayors to an information event held jointly with the Bundeswehr at the Engineer School in Ingolstadt. The event was also attended by representatives of the leading local authority associations, the Bavarian Industry Association, rescue and emergency services organisations, the Bavarian State Chancellery, the district administrations and the Bavarian Police. At a press conference held during the conference, Herrmann, together with the Deputy Commander of the Bundeswehr’s Operational Command and Commander of Territorial Tasks, Lieutenant General André Bodemann, the Vice-President of the Bavarian County Council, District Administrator Dr Oliver Bär, and the President of the Bavarian State Office for Civil Protection, Wolfgang Zacher, on the current challenges in the field of civil protection and civil defence.
Joachim Herrmann: “At today’s event, the district administrators and mayors will also be briefed by Lieutenant General Bodemann on the defence policy situation in Central Europe and on the Bundeswehr’s expectations of local authorities. Other topics include the nationwide expansion of siren networks and the provision of more essential emergency vehicles and equipment. However, despite all these efforts, one thing is clear: the federal government must set the pace in civil defence! It has exclusive legislative authority in defence matters and must provide centralised control, coordination and updates to the legal framework. Clear guidelines and viable funding agreements are needed. This is the basis for operational implementation by the federal states and local authorities.” According to Herrmann, the Conference of Interior Ministers considers federal investment of at least 20 billion euros to be necessary.
André Bodemann: “Germany’s defence is a task for the state as a whole and for society as a whole. The state, the economy and society must work together to prepare for the ‘worst-case scenario’. Only as a team of military and civilian leaders can the task of defending our country, our freedom, democracy and our values be achieved. In this, cities and local authorities are also – and indeed particularly – crucial.”
Dr Oliver Bär: “The security situation makes it clear: civil defence is now a central state responsibility – and it is decided at local level in the districts and municipalities. For this, we need clear responsibilities, modern structures and close involvement of the local authorities. And it cannot succeed without reliable funding. Because only strong local authorities can guarantee effective civil protection for the people in the state.”
Wolfgang Zacher: “We have enhanced the Free State of Bavaria’s capacity to act in civil protection and civil defence situations with the establishment of the State Office for Civil Protection within the Ministry of the Interior on 15 April. This is intended to specifically advance civil protection as the basis for civil defence situations and also strengthen it operationally. In addition to equipping the largely volunteer civil protection personnel, we are committed to intensive and trusting cooperation between all parties involved, an expansion of training and further education in civil protection, and regular exercises.”
