German Firefighters Call for Swift Justice Against Violence Toward Emergency Responders
The German Firefighters Association urges expedited legal action and highlights the need for societal respect to combat rising attacks on emergency personnel.
- 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.