German Firefighters Urge Citizens to Improve Self-Preparedness for Disasters

Firefighter association highlights rising natural hazards and calls for better public readiness and government support.

The German Firefighter Association has emphasized the growing need for citizens to take more responsibility in preparing for natural disasters, citing increasing natural hazards such as floods and wildfires.
Association President Karl-Heinz Banse noted that many emergency calls could be avoided if people prepared better, such as using sandbags or water pumps in flood-prone areas.
Banse criticized a growing dependency on emergency services, stating that the fire department cannot respond to all incidents simultaneously and must prioritize its efforts.
The association is advocating for disaster preparedness education in schools and other institutions, including training on responding to alarms and natural hazards.
A call was made for federal funding to bolster disaster response capabilities, including specialized equipment for tackling floods and wildfires.