In an open letter to the federal government, the state governments, and several members of the Bundestag, the Association for the Promotion of German Fire Protection (vfdb) suggested a digitalization pact for hazard prevention.
The Corona crisis, which Germany has managed well so far thanks to the efforts of everyone involved, still shows clearly that there are significant gaps, when it comes to digitalization.
economic stimulus package
“Too many processes are still carried out analogously, on paper and even by post. This costs valuable time and human resources and therefore money,” criticized vfdb President - Dirk Aschenbrenner in the letter.
At the same time, he welcomed the plan by the federal government and various state governments to present an economic stimulus package at the beginning of June that is intended to bring new impetus and new growth to the economy after the Corona crisis.
“We also see this as a good opportunity to promote innovation in all areas of public life. This also applies very much to averting danger,” says Dirk Aschenbrenner.
nationwide center for digitalization
Production of the necessary infrastructure to develop a cross-state digitalization strategy
The President of the expert network for protection, rescue, and security, who is also the Director of the Dortmund fire department, proposes a nationwide center for digitalization in emergency response, which, in addition to supporting the procurement of equipment and the production of the necessary infrastructure, develops a cross-state digitalization strategy.
There are initial good approaches, for example with the German Rescue Robotics Center or the Institute for Fire Brigade and Rescue Technology in Dortmund. However, this is far from enough.
Digital transformation
A current study by the vfdb entitled, 'Digital transformation in civil emergency response', which is to be published shortly, confirms significant deficits in fire departments and rescue services.
“At the same time, the results are also encouraging; The willingness of the employees to use the digital options – if available – is great,” admitted the vfdb President, Dirk Aschenbrenner.