German Fire Protection Association (VFDB) News

The rescue service in Germany is currently facing the greatest challenges in its history. Mathias Duschl from the European Resuscitation Academy pointed this out.  The Swiss network of experts is concerned with improving emergency services systems to save more people from cardiac arrest. Within just six years, the number of emergency services deployed had increased by 134 percent, Duschl reported on the final day of the 65th annual conference of the Association for the Promotion of German...

Survey participants from fire departments, aid organizations, and technical relief organizations are dissatisfied with the digital development in their organizations. This emerges from a study on digital transformation in civil security that was carried out by the Paderborn Safety Innovation Center eV on behalf of the Association for the Promotion of German Fire Protection (vfdb). According to the respondents, digitalization should be promoted in civil security. Introduction of digital technol...

Only half of all homeowners in Germany have adequately equipped their homes with smoke detectors. The President of the Association for the Promotion of German Fire Protection (vfdb), Dirk Aschenbrenner, pointed this out.  “In view of the proven effectiveness and the corresponding legislation, this is frightening,” said Aschenbrenner on the occasion of “Smoke Alarm Day” on Friday, November 13th. He cited a recently published representative study. The vfdb presid...

From the structural situation to the hazards to possible reactions for care management and staff: the Joint Committee on Fire Prevention Education and Fire Safety Education of the German Fire Brigades Association (DFV) and the Association for the Promotion of German Fire Protection (vfdb) has worked up the topic of "Behaviour in case of fire in care facilities" with a technical recommendation. building regulations and technical codes "Offered is an easy-to-read guide that provides the necessar...

According to the findings of the fire department, rescue services and civil protection, the use of aircraft for emergency response in Germany urgently needs to be improved. In particular, helicopters, drones and fixed-wing aircraft need to be better integrated in terms of mission tactics and communications. In a joint position paper, the Association for the Promotion of German Fire Protection (vfdb) and the German Fire Brigades Association (DFV) provide advice on appropriate regulations. Accord...

The Association for the Promotion of German Fire Protection (vfdb) and the German Fire Brigades Association (DFV) have reacted with horror and complete incomprehension to reports from the Bundestag that the budget of the Federal Ministry of the Interior is to fall by more than 2.22 billion euros in the coming year. Lack of protection in crisis "If the plan were to be implemented, the state would probably hardly be able to fulfill its obligation to protect the population," said vfdb President -...

Severe storms, floods, fire disasters, pandemics: professional helpers cannot always be on hand immediately during major events. A cooperation agreement between the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief (BBK), the German Fire Brigade Association (DFV), and the Association for the Promotion of German Fire Protection (vfdb) is intended to help promote self-protection skills among the population even more.  BBK President Ralph Tiesler, DFV President Karl-Heinz Banse, and vf...

With the two new initiatives SIE@vfdb and Vielfalt@vfdb, the German Fire Protection Association (vfdb) wants to advocate for more women and more diversity in fire brigades and other hazard prevention institutions. SIE@vfdb wants to strengthen the presence of women in future technologies and create more visibility for successful female role models. With diversity@vfdb, the vfdb underlines, among other things, the openness and appreciation for the diversity of its members. Safety, Innovatio...

MÜNSTER Numerous major fires in historic buildings, including the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral, have repeatedly highlighted the particular threat to cultural property in recent years.  Whether monasteries, castles and palaces, half-timbered houses, or old industrial buildings, they were all not built according to modern fire protection specifications and have only rarely been retrofitted. BRAWA project The BRAWA project (preserving cultural assets through the motivation of helpers a...

The SafeInno Foundation, set up by the Association for the Promotion of German Fire Protection (vfdb), will also be presenting the Excellence Awards.  They are among the highest awards for special work in the area of ​​security. The prizes are awarded in three categories “special scientific achievements”, “research and development” and “special organizational achievements”.  Digital application submission A total of up to 7,500 euros in prize mone...

The Association for the Promotion of German Fire Protection (vfdb) will present itself with a colorful mix of topics at its joint stand during INTERSCHUTZ (20 to 25 June 2022) in Hall 13/D50 together with the Association of Heads of Professional Fire Departments (AGBF Bund). The stand motto: "comprehensive, networked, proven".  The vfdb is considered the "inventor" of INTERSCHUTZ. In 1953, the association organized the industry's first major trade exhibition - at that time still called "De...

The Association for the Promotion of German Fire Protection (vfdb) has called for an extensive catalog of measures to protect against dangerous forest and vegetation fires. “The fires currently occurring in Germany are a clear warning signal and show us that there is an urgent need for action,” emphasized vfdb President Dirk Aschenbrenner.  One of the consequences must be more active support of the “forest conversion” by the fire departments. An increasing but...

“Against a backdrop of increasing threat scenarios, it was high time after seven years for an INTERSCHUTZ to take place again in a physical, on-site format,” reported Dr. Jochen Köckler, the Chairman of the Deutsche Messe Managing Board. He adds, “This trade fair was all about networking, developing ideas, discussing solutions and expanding international networks. As a result, INTERSCHUTZ is now more than just a product show – it is a shaper of sustainable security...

When INTERSCHUTZ opens its doors in a few days' time (20 – 25 June), Hannover will become the international ‘blue light capital.’ Brand-new topics, innovations, and a broad supporting program consisting of conferences, competitions, workshops, and live training – all this is offered by the trade fair for fire brigades, rescue services, civil protection, and safety/security. Against the backdrop of the current geopolitical challenges, the accompanying humanitarian crises,...

The first severe forest fires of this summer in some southern countries, but also in Germany, are a clear indication of the explosive development in vegetation fires, according to the vegetation fire expert in the Association for the Promotion of German Fire Protection (vfdb), Dr. Ulrich Cimolino. Just recently - as several times in previous years - the Spanish tourist stronghold Costa del Sol was affected. There, more than 3000 people, including many tourists, had to be brought to safety. the...

Civil protection organizations are challenged now more than ever before. In addition to their tasks in everyday life, fire brigades, The Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW), the German Life Saving Society (DLRG), the German Red Cross (DRK), Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe (JUH), Malteser Hilfsdienst (MHD) and the Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund (ASB) are increasingly in demand for large-scale operations. Whether it is the corona (COVID-19) virus pandemic, flood disaster, forest fires or refugee crisis -...

The increase in natural disasters has already noticeably changed the daily lives of many aid and rescue workers. In addition, there was the Corona pandemic and the humanitarian emergencies caused by political conflicts - most recently as a result of the Russian war on Ukraine. Given the current challenges, the topics of INTERSCHUTZ are more relevant than ever before. 1,000 companies from 50 countries as well as the participating associations and organizations will present the solutions for the...

From 20 to 25 June 2022, the topics at INTERSCHUTZ in Hannover, Germany, will revolve around firefighting, rescue, civil protection, and safety/security. The economic, ecological, and political challenges of recent times make this flagship fair an important driver of change. digital transformation The spread of global warming and the resulting natural disasters have already noticeably changed everyday life for many helpers and rescue forces. This has recently been compounded by the coronavirus...

Preparations to re-start the world’s leading trade fair for the fire-fighting, rescue, and emergency services, civil protection, safety, and security are well underway. INTERSCHUTZ will take place from 22-25 June 2022 as a live physical event and, for the first time, will be supplemented by an online component, thus considerably extending its outreach. The core of the event will remain the face-to-face interaction between exhibitors and visitors from every sector, in...

Emergency services from various regions in Germany have been sounding the alarm for months: According to those responsible, the flood of operations can hardly be managed anymore and endangers rapid care in life-threatening cases.  The Association for the Promotion of German Fire Protection (vfdb) as a neutral network for protection, rescue and safety now wants to analyze the problem together with the key players in the rescue service and look for possible solutions. Representatives of AG...

The dates for INTERSCHUTZ have been changed, with the event now taking place from June 20 to June 25, 2022. The decision to reschedule the world's renowned trade fair for the fire, rescue, civil protection and safety/security verticals was taken by Deutsche Messe, after a process of thorough deliberation and intensive discussion with key market players. INTERSCHUTZ In a context that has affected numerous other trade fairs and events taking place all over the world, the move was driven by the l...

In a study on the topic of 'Future technologies and scenarios in fire and disaster protection', the Karlsruhe University of Technology and Economics and the Association for the Promotion of German Fire Protection (vfdb) want to examine how the latest technologies can support emergency services. Furthermore, it should be found out how operational processes can be simplified and accelerated. The basis for the analysis is an online survey aimed at those responsible for fire departments, rescue ser...

Major fire on the railway line in Siegburg, forest fires in Brandenburg, German fire brigades help with extinguishing work in Sweden and similar operations made headlines in the summer of 2018. The experts have learned lessons from their experiences: Many dangers were and are not taken sufficiently seriously!  At the upcoming annual conference of the Association for the Promotion of German Fire Protection (vfdb) from May 27th to 29th in Ulm, the topic “Underestimated Dangers” w...

The Association for the Promotion of German Fire Protection (vfdb) has warned against the improper handling of candles given the upcoming Advent season.  “Unfortunately, the number of fires increases significantly every year around Christmas,” said vfdb President, Dirk Aschenbrenner in Dortmund, citing figures from the General Association of the German Insurance Industry. In 2019 alone there were 29,000 fires, around 9,000 more than in a comparable month in spring or autumn....

Ten years after the disaster at the Love Parade in Duisburg (July 24, 2010), the expert network for protection, rescue, and security (vfdb) has recalled the high standards for improving security at major events.  In the accident on June 24, 2010, 21 people died and more than 500 were injured. contribution to safety Dr. Dirk Oberhagemann made a significant contribution to safety at future events According to vfdb General Secretary - Dr. Dirk Oberhagemann made a significant contribution t...

For the first time, a “corona traffic light” shows the daily development of infections in all German districts and independent cities. The interactive map shows the situation based on the 35 and 50 7-day incidence values.  These values ​​are used to control uniform nationwide measures against the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The interactive map can be accessed on the Internet via the homepage of the Association for the Promotion of German Fire Protection (vfdb). Corona t...

From the structural situation to the hazards to possible reactions for care management and staff: the Joint Committee on Fire Prevention Education and Fire Safety Education of the German Fire Brigades Association (DFV) and the Association for the Promotion of German Fire Protection (vfdb) has worked up the topic of 'Behavior in case of fire in care facilities' with a technical recommendation. "Offered is an easy-to-read guide that provides the necessary background information to be able to make...

Premiere for an unusual emergency vehicle: Scientists from the German Rescue Robotics Center (DRZ) and experts from the Dortmund fire department have developed a completely new type of lead vehicle.  In the future, it will be available for research purposes and exercises for testing robots and drones as well as for special large-scale operations. The RobLW, as it is internally called, was presented in Dortmund on Wednesday. Vehicles for robotic operations In keeping with the occasion, a...

With a large joint stand, the Association for the Promotion of German Fire Protection eV (vfdb) will contribute to the international transfer of technology and know-how at Australia's largest trade fair for rescue and security. At the same time, the event, the AFAC - powered by INTERSCHUTZ in Perth, is intended to provide insight into the effectiveness of security defense in Germany. Fair participation The vfdb is looking for innovative companies and institutions that would like to present th...

According to the President of the Association for the Promotion of German Fire Protection (vfdb), Dirk Aschenbrenner, the operational conditions for fire departments and rescue services and disaster control are changing more and more rapidly.  “Innovative solutions are urgently needed in order to keep up with developments and remain efficient,” said Dirk Aschenbrenner at a virtual specialist conference. It is, therefore, important to recognize the need, develop solutions and in...