North Rhine-Westphalia's Interior Minister Herbert Reul has described the Association for the Promotion of German Fire Protection (vfdb) as an important source of inspiration.
“The vfdb has a significant influence on the current state of technology,” said Reul at the opening of the organization’s 65th annual conference in Duisburg. She not only asks questions but also contributes her knowledge and answers.
digitalization
Reul named digitalization as a key topic. An example is the technology in the operations control centers, “The requirements are increasing. Networking with one another is becoming increasingly important – for example when using geoinformation."
"We always need new solutions for ever new dangerous situations,” emphasized the minister.
digital applications
How sustainable is German fire protection? as a good opportunity for networking between developers and users
Previously, Duisburg's city director Dr. Dörte Diemert pointed out an unprecedented project for digital applications that is currently being tested in the city in collaboration with the German Aerospace Center. A camera from a drone can transmit images directly to a city map in real-time. Important decisions could be made before the emergency services arrive.
She described the vfdb conference, which has the motto “How sustainable is German fire protection?” as a good opportunity for networking between developers and users.
digital change in the fire department
In the first of a total of 50 lectures during the three-day event, the speakers dealt with digital change in the fire department. Frankfurt's former fire chief, Professor Reinhard Ries, appealed to all those responsible to address the issue.
“When we now talk about digitalization 4.0, that is just the beginning,” said Ries. “Whether in control centers or training and further education – we will have to reposition ourselves completely. This is no longer a thing of the future.”
scientific achievements
Benjamin Schröder received the award for his special scientific achievements in his dissertation on a fire protection topic
During the opening ceremony in the morning, vfdb President Dirk Aschenbrenner presented the vfdb 2018 Excellence Award to the Wuppertal scientist Dr.-Ing. on behalf of the SafeInno Foundation.
Benjamin Schröder presented. He received the award for his special scientific achievements in his dissertation on a fire protection topic.
vfdb annual conference
The vfdb annual conference with almost 700 participants, and the organizers recorded a strong turnout.
The program items include a lecture by the London Fire Department on experiences from the Grenfell Tower fire, in which more than 70 people died a year ago. On the last day, developments in the emergency services will be one of the key topics.