Overview

• Nearly half of surveyed volunteer firefighters in Germany reported experiencing violence, including threats and physical attacks, in the last two years.
• The German government is advancing a bill to strengthen legal protections for emergency responders and volunteers, currently under review in parliamentary committees.
• Firefighters advocate for faster prosecution and sentencing of offenders to deter violence against emergency workers.
• The association emphasizes that societal respect, not just legal measures, is crucial to addressing the issue effectively.
• Testing of dashcams in emergency vehicles is underway to improve evidence collection and enhance responder safety, though broader implementation is pending results.