Minister of the Interior Joachim Herrmann: Bavarian Centre for Special Operations to be further expanded – New cross-organisational training and advanced training opportunities for aid organisations – State-of-the-art training and simulation centre unique in Germany
At the suggestion of Bavaria’s Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann, the Council of Ministers today approved the further expansion of the Bavarian Centre for Special Operations (BayZBE) in Windischeschenbach in the Upper Palatinate. “On the additional training grounds of this training and simulation centre for disaster control and civil protection, which is unique in Germany, there will be even more opportunity in future for cross-organisational preparation for specific operational situations – close to reality, flexible and state-of-the-art,” Herrmann explained. “The crisis and disaster situations of recent years have shown us how diverse the missions can be. In addition to terror and amok situations, which were the focus when the BayZBE was founded, today it is above all climate-related challenges that have to be mastered.”
Herrmann went on to explain that the existing range of training and advanced training courses will be significantly expanded. Future technologies such as drones, rescue robotics systems and so-called mixed reality environments to project virtual situations into the real world will also be used. The Free State is providing significant funding for the project: “Since 2019, we have already invested 9.3 million euros for planning, construction and operation. Around 32 million euros are available for the current expansion. This corresponds to the highest possible funding rate of 90 percent,” says Herrmann.
The construction measures required for the expansion of the BayZBE are to be realised in two construction phases. In the first construction phase, the plans call for, among other things, a main building with several training rooms and storage areas, several training areas and two multifunctional buildings by 2026. “The training and education areas can be flexibly adapted to different hazard scenarios and thus increase training efficiency,” he said. In a second construction phase starting in 2027, the overall concept is to be completed with further modules by 2030. The state government will again provide considerable financial resources for this planned expansion and operation, Herrmann said.
The BayZBE started operations in December 2019. It is operated by a non-profit limited liability company supported by the Bavarian Red Cross, the Workers’ Samaritan Association, the Malteser Hilfsdienst and the Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe. All other aid and emergency organisations, including the Technical Relief Agency and the Bavarian Police, also benefit from the centre.
