Association sees fire brigades well prepared for floods

The German Fire Brigade Association (DFV) believes that disaster control in Germany is well prepared for the threat of flooding. “In principle, we are well prepared for flooding in Germany – also due to recent events,” said association president Karl-Heinz Banse to the “Rheinische Post” (Tuesday). “Not only have lessons been learned from the heavy rain events in Ahr Valley and North Rhine-Westphalia, but the flooding in several parts of Germany this year has also contributed to this.” Planning in the affected countries is in full swing – “units are being put on pre-alert, sandbags are being prepared, weather data is being monitored.” The population is also being informed accordingly and can prepare. “The incredibly dense network of fire brigades is helping us: in Bavaria, Saxony and Brandenburg alone, 400,000 volunteer firefighters are available.(…),” Banse told the newspaper. The fire brigades are also ready to help in neighboring countries affected by flooding.

The number of deaths in the floods in several European countries has now risen to at least eleven people. Water levels are also rising in Germany, for example on the Elbe in Saxony. In Bavaria, the flood situation remains tense – more rain is forecast there. Brandenburg is also preparing for impending flooding.