Heavy rain and flood management in focus at “Heavy Rain Innovation Day”
Bavaria’s Minister of the Interior and Disaster Control, Joachim Herrmann, emphasised today at the “Heavy Rain Innovation Day” in Munich, an information event organised by Deutsche Telekom: “Climate change is and remains one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Its effects, such as heavy rain and flooding, challenge us to work together to find new ways to guarantee our usual level of safety in the future. The devastating images of the flood disasters four years ago in the Ahr Valley and here in Bavaria in June last year have once again clearly demonstrated the importance of this task.” The “Heavy Rain Innovation Day” makes a significant contribution to bringing together innovations and developments and promoting exchange between experts from all areas of disaster control. ‘Because heavy rainfall events are becoming more frequent and more intense, we must continuously develop disaster control measures. At the same time, we can proudly say that disaster control in Bavaria is well positioned,’ said Herrmann.
According to Hermann, the dangers posed by flooding and heavy rainfall must be considered holistically. The spectrum ranges from preventive approaches that can ideally prevent disasters, such as retention areas, to practical solutions for alerting and warning emergency services and the population, such as sirens or cell broadcasts. Digital technologies, such as the climate warning and alarm system in Ergoldsbach or in the district of Pfaffenhofen, make it possible to identify dangers at an early stage and warn the population in good time. “These systems are the result of close cooperation between science, administration and emergency services. They are an example of the transformation of our hazard prevention. Heavy rainfall events can thus be better predicted and the fire brigades and aid organisations can be optimally supported,” explained the minister.
In his speech, Herrmann emphasised the importance of fire brigades and aid organisations in Bavaria as indispensable partners in the field of disaster control. The vast majority of the approximately 450,000 people who work in fire brigades and aid organisations do so on a voluntary basis. ‘Such an active civil society and such a strong voluntary commitment to the community cannot be taken for granted. This is precisely what makes Bavaria special: we are a state of volunteers,’ said Herrmann.
