We invest in the future - Bundesamt für Bevölkerungsschutz und

Transcription

We invest in
the future
Annual Report of the Federal Office of Civil Protection
and Disaster Assistance 2011
We invest in
the future
Annual Report of the Federal Office of Civil Protection
and Disaster Assistance 2011
The Competence Centre of Civil Protection
Table of Contents
Foreword by the Federal Minister of the Interior, Dr Hans-Peter Friedrich, MdB
6
Civil protection is an investment in the future,
Foreword by the President, Mr Christoph Unger
8
Principles in civil protection
12
Psychosocial emergency care – quality matters!
Adaptation to climate change – including civil protection
Protection aims in civil protection
Emergency preparedness in water supply
Networking of science in research, experiments and practice
Civil protection beyond borders
12
15
17
19
21
23
Training
24
Strengthening of the self-help ability of young people
Lifelong learning
Crisis management has top priority
Technology-based training for operative tasks
The all-rounder is tomorrow’s specialist
24
27
30
32
35
Exercise
38
Success thanks to teamwork and networking
38
Technologies for the future
40
Valuable information provided by geo data
Five years and no “old hat”
40
45
People in focus
48
“We invest in the future”
Vocational training at BBK
Traineeships for students at BBK
48
51
54
General information
58
We invest in the future: review and prospects in PR work
News from administration
58
65
6
Foreword by the Federal Minister of the Interior,
Dr Hans-Peter Friedrich, MdB
Dear readers,
The tenth anniversary of the attacks of 11 September 2001, but also the devastating harmful
events in Japan, gave reason in 2011 for assessing
and measuring our civil protection structures
against current developments.
The big decisions in civil protection were made.
After the terrorist attacks in 2001 and the
summer floods of 2002, the Federation and the
Länder agreed on a “New strategy for modern
civil protection”. The main aims were:
an improved interaction, coordination and
cooperative coordination of all players beyond
federal borders, and
a strengthened responsibility of the Federation
to support the Länder in coping with largescale disasters.
Consequently, the German Joint Information and
Situation Centre of the Federation and the Länder,
the data bank deNIS for information and resource
management and also the Federal satellite-based
warning system were developed. The Academy for
Crisis Management was realigned. At federal level,
the organisational focus of the realignment was
the creation of the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK). The last milestone and completion of the development was the
new law on the Federation’s civil protection and
disaster management (ZSKG) in 2009. Above all,
for the first time, the Federation was given the
possibility to assume coordination tasks, at the request of the Länder, during large-scale incidents.
Thus, the main aspects of the “New Strategy” of
the past were implemented.
Another task is the preparation of national risk
analysis. In the ZSKG of 2009, the Federation
was commissioned with this task. Last year, the
Federal Ministry of the Interior and the Federal
Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance
completed the systematic and structural preliminary work. Therefore, the actual risk analysis work can start this year. The first results are
expected in autumn.
All in all, we have made good progress. Thanks
to our decentralised emergency preparedness
system, we are in a position to react efficiently –
this includes the management of large-scale incidents. In the event of an incident, our emergency
preparedness system can quickly and flexibly
develop from the bottom to the top. The instruments of the Federation-Länder cooperation,
which were newly installed ten years ago, have
made an important contribution to this development. It is, above all, our Joint Information and
Situation Centre, which has proved its worth.
Foreword by the Federal Minister of the Interior, Dr Hans-Peter Friedrich, MdB
Our system owes its strength and power to the
many volunteers in fire brigades, relief organisations, management units and the THW. Last
year, the focus was particularly on these experts.
The issue of concern to many of us was how the
reform of the structure of the German Army
would impact the number of volunteers in civil
protection. Due to the suspension of mandatory conscription, about 60,000 conscripts, who
were released for services in civil protection and
disaster management, were no longer available.
At the same time, an important instrument for
recruiting young talent was lost.
However, the reform of the structure of the
German Army is only one of a great number of
changed basic conditions for voluntary commitment in civil protection. The demographic
change, together with an increasing individualisation of our society and a wealth of competing
leisure time activities, will have an even greater
impact on the number of our volunteers. Against
this background, there was mutual consent that
the long-term securing of a nationwide network
of volunteers is today the central challenge to
our national civil protection. To achieve this, the
Federal Ministry of the Interior and the Federal
Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance
initiated, in cooperation with the Länder, a broad
research project. The first results of this project
are expected for this year.
The promotion of the honorary office will
remain a priority area of work of the Federal
Ministry of the Interior and the Federal Office of
Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance. Ongoing projects for the support and strengthening
of the honorary office must be further developed
and consistently be implemented, such as, for
example, the competition for the award “Helping
Hand”. Public acknowledgement and appreciation of the commitment are important factors. It
is also important that voluntary structures meet
today’s life’s reality. To achieve this, new formats
7
are required, such as short-term or project-related commitment, greater support by full-time
staff or an organised involvement of spontaneous volunteers in acute large-scale disasters. We
must create the space for such activities.
For these and many more tasks, which the new
year will bring, I would like to wish all of us
success and good results!
Dr Hans-Peter Friedrich
Federal Minister of the Interior
8
Civil protection is an investment
in the future
Dear readers,
After already mentioning in the previous Annual
Report that 2010 was a “catastrophic year”, it must
be stated that the statistics for 2011 show new negative records: according to the hard data provided
by the insurance industry, earthquakes, storms and
tsunamis have caused losses of almost 300 billion
EUR across the world. This is unprecedented. Above
all, the disasters in New Zealand and Japan, highly
developed industrial countries, accounted for the
losses of the insurance companies. Fortunately,
the number of people killed by these disasters was
considerably lower than in the previous year.
Nevertheless, the events in Japan have proved
that, at the end of the day, natural catastrophes
can generate a chain reaction with a devastating
effect on our highly technological society and
can cause losses which are beyond our, and even
experts’, imagination.
Therefore, civil protection is an investment in the
future which will yield a return where the occurrence of such losses is prevented or where its
impact can at least be limited. In this sense, civil
protection not only includes action to tackle largescale disasters but also measures to prevent and
limit such incidents and to be prepared for them.
The Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) sees in this area of respon-
sibility, in particular, its special competences.
Here, the authority has unique expertise and, as
a service provider, it can make an appropriate
offer.
With our projects in research, training or exercises, we invest “in heads”. Employees do conceptual
basic research work, for example in the area of
CBRN-protection, the use of new technologies for
remote sensing (such as satellites) and other geo
information or the adaptation to climate change.
Also promising are the considerable funds allocated to technological development, the procurement of vehicles and equipment or to the further
development of population warning systems.
The improvement of the self-help capacity of the
population through the use of new media and
new target groups, for example through the implementation of the Internet service for children
“Max und Flocke Helferland” (Max and Flocke
country of help), is another sustainable investment in the future.
The subject “civil protection” is modern, global
and future-oriented. This is, for example reflected by the fact that an increasing number
of study programmes are offered at universities
and higher education colleges in Germany which
take up this topic. That is why BBK has cooperated
for several years with the Rheinische Friedrich-
Wilhelms University of Bonn by providing a
joint study course on disaster risk management
(KaVo-Ma). Other universities as well, like the
universities of Hamburg, the Cologne University
of Applied Sciences, and the BW-UNI Munich,
closely cooperate with BBK by offering practiceoriented seminars at the Academy for Crisis
Management, Emergency Planning and Civil
Protection (AKNZ). In December 2011, another
cooperation agreement with the Bergische Universität Wuppertal in the area of risk and security management was concluded.
In July 2011, the training institution of BBK,
AKNZ, welcomed for the third time about 80
German and foreign students from the most
diverse disciplines from 40 universities and 19
countries in the course of the Summer Academy
to familiarise them with the tasks of modern
civil protection. Regularly, students can do
subject-related internships at BBK.
Via the internal Information Centre of Civil
Protection (FIS), BBK provides another unique
service: the most comprehensive library on civil
protection in Germany, where specialised literature about all relevant topics is collected and
made accessible.
An important part of this collection is the wide
range of university publications. The members of
FIS are pleased to support all those who work in
science and research, including the students of
the various study programmes in the disciplines
of threat preparedness and disaster management
at 27 German universities and higher education
colleges. The diverse range of literature and the
competent advice at FIS are frequently utilised.
Thus, FIS provides a thematic compilation of
links to literature data banks on the Internet,
which the students can use for their own literature research. While many students benefit
from the personal support they receive on site
with their literature research, others take out
media using the FIS online-catalogue on the
9
Internet. With the launch of e-book lending in
2011, FIS has another future-oriented service to
offer. A large number of students and researchers make their work – developed with the help of
FIS – available to be used by others. Such work
includes term papers, seminar and project work,
Bachelor or Master theses and even dissertations and habilitations. All titles are integrated
into the data bank of FIS. Via the menu point
“university publications” on the FIS Internet site,
interested users can obtain information about all
those topics on which research work has already
been published. Some of the documents can be
downloaded.
The members of FIS attach particular importance to the productive cooperation with
students, as it is possible here to sensitise the
younger generation and young talents for
various subjects of civil protection and also to
support their interest in a qualitative manner.
This, too, is an investment in and for the future.
Demographic change and the subsequent considerable reduction in skilled personnel in the
coming years require the timely engagement of
young talents with their potential field of activity and employers.
Another investment in the future is research in
the field of civil protection: for many years, BBK
has had its own research funds. With the funds,
which are allocated by the Federal Ministry of
Education and Research via the programme
“Research for civil security”, these research
activities could be considerably expanded and
intensified. One of the funded projects is, among
others, supported by BBK, the Federal Office of
Criminal Investigation and the Robert-KochInstitute: BiGRUDI (Biologische Gefahrenlagen:
Risikobewertung, ultraschnelle Detektion und
Identifizierung von bioterroristisch relevanten
Agenzien; Biological dangers: risk assessment,
ultra-fast detection and identification of bio
terrorist agencies). With a full-scale exercise at
AKNZ in September 2011, different pieces of
10
equipment, which were further developed during the project, were successfully tested under
operating conditions for their suitability in practice. On the basis of these research results, it will
be possible to further develop another important
project of supplementary equipment: in addition
to the already existing seven (chemical) Analytic
Task Forces, four biological units are to be set up
in the coming years.
Furthermore, we are preparing for the use of
modern technologies in civil protection: the use
of geo information or space technology, to cope
with the challenges that lie ahead, has gained
in importance. However, this, too, requires an
“investment” to get started. On the basis of research projects, the space-based remote sensing
has become a tried and tested method of gathering information, including civil protection.
This method will be further developed at the
national and European level and become operational to support decision-making processes in
crisis and disaster situations. BBK participated
in this activity, for example at workshops which
were organised by the Federal Ministry of the
Interior and the German Centre for Aviation
and Space Travel (DLR) in Oberpfaffenhofen in
October 2011. Nevertheless, at the end of the day,
it is necessary to integrate not only satellites but
also other systems into a network which allows
earth observation without delay from different
heights, for example in form of “drones” (Unmanned Aircraft Systems = UAV). Quite a different form of investment in the future stems
from the fact that IT-security must be increasingly regarded as a challenge to civil protection.
New instruments and strategies must be further
developed and established to be able to confront
the increasing dangers from Cyberspace. Here,
too, BBK was called for in 2011: In February
2011, the “Cyber security strategy”, which adopts
a comprehensive approach to ensure IT security,
was adopted by the Federal Government. Key
issues of this strategy are, among others, the
enhanced protection of Critical Infrastructures,
the establishment of a “National Cyber Security
Council” and the development of a “National
Cyber Defence Centre”. At the Defence Centre,
which consists essentially of the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), the Federal
Office for the Protection of the Constitution
(BfV) and the Federal Office of Civil Protection
and Disaster Assistance (BBK), representatives of
police, customs as well as other supervisory and
security authorities and members of the Armed
Forces also cooperate. It is not a new authority
with new powers, but rather it has the character of an information platform with the aim to
optimise the operative cooperation of all those
national offices which are relevant for this task.
Thus, although BBK does not have its own IT
competences or IT security knowledge – which
are made available by the Federal Office of Administration – it is, nevertheless, the competent
authority for the protection of Critical Infrastructures with comprehensive competences
and capacities in this area of activity. Therefore,
the strategic aim is to bring the respective skills
together to solve the complex security issues at
stake here.
To ensure that this cooperation works in an
“emergency” situation, it is a requirement of the
“Cyber security strategy” that the participating offices from the Federation, the Länder and
commercial enterprises practice drills regularly.
Although it had already been established as an
exercise topic before the resolution about the
new strategy, which was finally confirmed, BBK
organised the 5th strategic management exercise
LÜKEX 11 at the end of last year. This was done
on behalf of the Federal Ministry of the Interior and in cooperation with BSI. The scenario,
which was developed for LÜKEX 11, was based
on targeted attacks on IT-structures by profiting
from existing IT-deficiencies. This resulted in a
considerable deterioration of Critical Infrastructures and shortages, for example in the finance
and traffic sector (airports). Furthermore, parts of
public administration did not function anymore.
Most of the Federal Länder (to varying degrees),
seven Federal Government departments, businesses and industrial associations, as well as
authorities and relief organisations with about
2,500 participants across Germany, took part in
the exercise. One of the reasons for its success
was the fact that the exercise participants have
been working on the exercise, including the IT
security situation, for almost two years, making
preparations and learning from each other. Thus,
the newly established Cyber Defence Centre
could put its work to the test. It was surely also
successful with promoting the general awareness of the population of the topic “IT security”,
particularly as the media extensively covered the
exercise activities.
LÜKEX exercises are an outstanding “product”
of BBK. However, they also require all they can
muster from the employees. This applies especially to last year’s exercise, which was accompanied by a two-day congress with experts from
home and abroad and about 160 participants
from across the world.
This fifth exercise was the completion and also
the peak of an eventful and labour intensive
2011, which was successful in spite of the not
always positive development of the framework
conditions.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank
my employees for their various achievements
and hope that you, dear readers, will enjoy reading our Annual Report to get a good overview.
Christoph Unger
President of the Federal Office of Civil Protection
and Disaster Assistance
11
This is the seventh Annual Report of BBK, and
we have included an evaluation questionnaire.
We would like to know whether you feel properly informed by our offer or what wishes you
might have. Therefore, I would like to conclude by asking you to take a bit of time and
to answer and send back our questionnaire.
Of course, this can also be done online.
Many thanks.
Psychosocial emergency care –
quality matters!
In an emergency, quick and professional help is necessary. Whether it is a relatively frequently occurring incident, such as a car accident or a heart attack, a serious accident or disaster, quick emergency
measures can help to keep the situation under control when people have been injured. Priority must
not only be attached to the treatment of physical injuries. It is also important to appropriately respond
to the possible psychological impact of extremely stressful events.
The quality of relief measures plays an important role in this context. The improper treatment of physical or mental injuries is of little
help. In case of doubt, the condition of the
affected person can become even worse. BBK
recognised early on that quality matters in
psychosocial emergency care (PSNV). For ten
years, the promotion and quality assurance for
this multifaceted field has been at the forefront
of BBK’s psychosocial crisis management. In
2011, the main emphasis was placed on issues
concerning the training of PSNV staff, as well
as on the scientific evaluation of completed
PSNV operations, the technical support of the
development and expansion of PSNV structures
in different Länder.
Thorough training makes all the difference
Only somebody who is well qualified can offer
the best psychosocial care to survivors, family
members, witnesses and missing people, as well
as to potentially stressed response staff after a
serious incident or disaster. To account for this,
BBK took further successful steps in 2011.
In a technical working group, organised by BBK,
questions concerning the training of PSNV
managers are treated. With the participation of
numerous experts, nationwide recommendations for curricula are developed and included
in the syllabus of training centres such as fire
brigade schools. The work started in a constructive and promising way and will be continued
in 2012.
In 2011 BKK supported a working group of the
relief organisations (the Workers’ Samaritan
Union e. V., German Red Cross e. V., Johanniter
Unfallhilfe e. V. and the Maltese Service e. V.) as
well as the Protestant and Catholic emergency
pastoral care. The group wanted to develop the
first curricular recommendations for PSNV responders (for example, emergency pastors, crisis
intervention teams) across organisations, and to
implement them in their own structures. With
the mutual acknowledgement of the previous
training standards, based on the specific features of the organisations, an important component was created.
Learn from practice – profit from experiences
Important insights for the further development of
PSNV stem from practice. Only from practice can
experience be gained, which helps to assess existing concepts and procedures for their feasibility
and efficiency, and to detect potential areas for
improvement. Therefore, another key aspect of
BBK’s work in psychosocial crisis management in
2011 was the evaluation of PSNV operations.
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Psychosoziale Notfallversorgung:
Qualitätsstandards und Leitlinien
Teil I und II
BBK publication about quality assurance
in PSNV “Psychosocial Emergency Care:
Quality Standards and Guidelines, Part I
and II” – published in 2011. You can order
it on www.bbk.bund.de.
Band 7
Praxis im Bevölkerungsschutz
In a three-year project (duration 2011–2013), scientific evaluation criteria are to be developed for
the systematic evaluation of PSNV operations
during complex threat and damage situations.
The background for this is the rarely existing
comparability of the evaluation of such operations. At the moment, there is no basis which allows for comparable and transparent results. By
means of a pilot study, evaluation criteria and
instruments for the collection and evaluation of
data are developed. BBK was given the opportunity to evaluate the PSNV operation after the
killing spree in Winnenden/Wendlingen 2009
by closely cooperating with numerous organisations from Baden-Württemberg. The results
obtained from this will be entered into a practical guideline, which contains information about
the implementation of evaluations and which
can be used across organisational borders. The
guideline is to be made available to the Länder,
communities and organisations in the field of
threat prevention.
Background
For a long time, quality assurance has been an important topic for BBK: in the previous ten years,
on behalf of BBK, not only has a lot of research work been done on PSNV (for example, about the
standardisation and structuring of the field as well as psychosocial prevention during operations)
but, furthermore, the scientific results from the research projects have found their way into the
practical PSNV work on site. This was achieved by the establishment of a so-called consensus
process (duration: 2007–2010), which allowed the national adoption of quality standards and
guidelines. All organisations and institutions which are responsible for PSNV in Germany and
offer and implement it, as well as half of the Federal Länder and various universities took part
in this process. The results of the consensus process are the starting point for the technical key
aspects concerning the further development of PSNV, presented in the text.
14
PSNV at Länder level
What the future will bring
Since 2008, the Länder have had a technical working group which deals with aspects concerning the
involvement of PSNV at Länder level. The group
was formed by the so-called consensus-process
2007–2010, which resulted in the adoption of the
first guidelines and recommendations “from the
Länder for the Länder”. In addition to the seven
permanently represented Länder, BBK is a consultative member of the technical working group. In
2011 the emphasis was on the implementation of
the national guidelines for PSNV at Länder level.
In 2012 and beyond, quality assurance in PSNV
will remain an essential component in BBK’s
psychosocial crisis management. To this end, not
only the described activities and projects will be
continued. An annual technical symposium has
meanwhile become an integral part where the
current results from practice and research are discussed and recommended for the implementation
in the various organisations, where appropriate.
NOAH statistics 2011
Type of incident
Terrorist attacks
Abductions
Evacuations/departure support
Natural disasters
Plane accidents
Bus accidents
Ship and boat accidents
Other accidents abroad
Special operations
Total operations in 2011
Number
2
2
2
3
4
3
1
3
3
Disaster scenes
9/11 (USA)
Support since
2001
Airport Moscow (Russia)
2011
Yemen
2009
Mali
2011
Egypt
2011
Libya
2011
Cyclone Yasi across Australia
2011
Earthquake in New Zealand
2011
Earthquake/tsunami/nuclear disaster in Japan
2011
Lukla (Nepal)
2008
Air France (Brazil)
2009
Petrosawodsk (Russia)
2011
Jaroslawl (Russia)
2011
Kranj (Slovenia)
2011
Kranj (Slovenia)
2011
Fethiye (Turkey)
2011
Cruise accident off the coasts of Norway
2011
Death of a child near Córdoba (Spain)
2011
Event of death in Tunisia
2011
Event of death in Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
2011
Multiple car crash on the BAB 19 near Rostock/
adm. assistance for Land Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
2011
Death of a soldier/adm. assistance for airline
2011
Coordination of care for relatives of victims of right wing terrorist attacks
2011
2011
23
In 2011, the coordination office for the Aftercare, Support for Victims and their Relatives (NOAH) supported German emergency victims who had been
harmed abroad, and their relatives, in 20 operations.
15
Adaptation to climate change –
including civil protection
Not only individuals but our society as a whole is repeatedly confronted with the question of how to deal
with the impact of climate change. From their own perspective, different players search for answers and
thus contribute their share to the overall process of the “adaptation to climate change”. Civil protection,
too, carries out this task in various forms. Thus, the action plan “Adaptation to the German Adaptation
Strategy to Climate Change”, which was adopted 31 August 2011, contains contributions from the sector
of civil protection. Many adaptation activities in civil protection can be regarded as continuous.
When making decisions for the future, we try
extreme weather events, because they are parto get as clear a picture as possible of what lies
ticularly important for civil protection. Accordahead – even when we are not able to answer
ing to Mr Christoph Unger, President of BBK,
some of the questions with absolute certainty.
“Civil protection will be especially necessary
The same is true of
when an event and the
climate change. Thus,
consequences thereof
meteorologists, for
go beyond the degree
“Civil protection will be espeexample, are now able
of what is considered to
cially necessary when an event
to predict with reasonbe ‘normal’”. The rather
and
the
consequences
thereof
able accuracy what the
cumbersome title of
weather will be like the
the research project
go beyond the degree of what is
following day, whilst
also describes the
considered to be ‘normal’.”
statements about the
concrete aim: “evaluadevelopment of the
tion of regional climate
climate in the next
projections for Gerdecades still represent a scientific challenge.
many concerning the change to extreme patterns
Research has constantly worked on the further
of temperature, precipitation and wind velocity”.
development of the methods to refi ne its stateIt was created together with the Federal Agency
ments.
for Technical Relief (THW), the German Weather
Service (DWD) and the Federal Environment
Together with its partners, BBK has invested in
Agency (UBA) and is developed at DWD. On 15
a research project to gain a more precise picture
February 2011, the first interim results were preof our “climate future”. The main goal of the
sented at the Federal Press Conference in Berlin:
research has been the future development of
The results of the project to date suggest that in
future we should be prepared for more frequent
heavy rainfall and the consequence thereof in
The interim results of the research project on climate change were premany regions of Germany.
sented in Berlin in February 2011: Mr Uwe Kirsche (from l. to r.), head of
press and PR work and press officer of DWD, Dr Paul Becker, DWD VicePresident, Mr Jochen Flasbarth, President of the Federal Environment
Agency, Mr Christoph Unger, BBK President, and Mr Volker Strotmann,
THW department head of operations.
Taking on challenges
Those who have to deal with extreme weather
events in their daily work – the organisations
involved in disaster management, such as fire
brigades, aid groups and the Federal Agency for
Technical Relief (THW) — know very well what
such results imply for civil protection. The handling of extreme weather events, for example tor-
16
During the 7th European Civil
Protection and Disaster Management Congress, BBK presented
the brochure “Climate Change –
Challenge to Civil Protection”.
Mr Stefan Osche from the Red Cross Berlin, Ms Ursula Fuchs from BBK
and Mr Benno Fritzen from the professional fire brigade Münster present
the brochure.
rential rain and its impact, has always been a task
rised in a brochure and on 29 September 2011, Mr
of civil protection, and the emergency services
Benno Fritzen as the representative of AGBF and
are well equipped to deal with such incidents.
Mr Stefan Osche from DRK presented the new
In order to meet the challenge of the future, the
publication “Climate Change – Challenge to Civil
development of dangerous situations must be
Protection” on the occasion of the 7th European
continuously monitored and changes should be
Civil Protection and Disaster Management Condetected as early on as possible. After all, many
gress. Like Volume 5 of the series “Practice in
investments into the future of civil protection are
Civil Protection”, the brochure is available to all
made in the form of preventative and preparapartners in civil protection and to the general
tory measures. This is why
public on the BBK
the working group “Clihomepage. In addimate change and adaptation to the primary
“Apart from the work done
tion in civil protection”
objectives of facilitatby the working group, the
was established in 2008;
ing access to the topic
brochure also documents the
it represents the Workand providing ideas
ers’ Samaritan Federafor practical implesuccessful cooperation between
tion (ASB), the German
mentation, the publithe organisations that are active
Life Saving Association
cation fulfils another
in civil protection.”
(DLRG), the German Red
purpose, summarised
Cross (DRK), the Johannitby Ms Ursula Fuchs,
er-Unfall-Hilfe (JUH), the
BBK press officer, at
Malteser Hilfsdienst (MHD), the working group
the presentation event as follows: “Apart from
of the heads of professional fire brigades (AGBF),
the work done by the working group, the brothe German Fire Brigade Federation (DFV), the
chure also documents the successful cooperation
Federal institutions THW and BBK.
between the organisations that are active in civil
protection”.
How do the organisations approach the issue of
climate change? Where do they see the need to
adapt? Where can adaptation measures be sensibly implemented? In the workshops, these and
many other questions were discussed with the
aim of finding pragmatic solutions. Right from
the start, there was no doubt that the results of
the working group should be made available to
those institutions which work at all levels of civil
protection. The results were therefore summa-
17
Protection aims in civil protection
The activities of the Federation concerning this issue are concentrated in the “National Strategy for the
Protection of Critical Infrastructures”. Against the background of changing framework conditions as to the
operation of Critical Infrastructures, regulations of the supervisory authorities and the industry are updated
and additional security measures initiated, when needed. With its publications and discussions with experts
from economy, science and authorities, including related expert congresses, BBK advertises such activities.
In the context of such discussions, the representative of an enterprise asked a question about the
desired protection level provided by the state:
“How much protection is necessary?” The question was geared at learning how enterprises can
find out whether their measures for the uninterrupted provision of services are sufficient. The relevant norms and standards are generally fulfilled
by the enterprises. The question concerning the
protection level was taken further by BBK and
discussed with representatives of Critical Infrastructures. With the definition of desired protection levels, all players – i.e. enterprises, authorities
and affected users – would be able to monitor
their own area of responsibility and recognise
when extreme events have reached such an extent
that a short-term and comprehensive return
to normal business is no longer possible. Here,
all players are asked to see to their own safety
precautions to ensure emergency operations or
emergency supply over a period of a few days.
Determination of threshold values
In this special discussion between authorities and
operators of Critical Infrastructures, quantifiable
protection levels are an important basis whose
suitability should be checked. In the future, these
protection levels can support the definition of
general protection aims. Protection aims include descriptions of the objective and use of the
aspired protection level. A protection aim is an
“aspired status of a protected commodity which
“For the development and definition of concepts in civil protection,
an increasing number of risk-based methods are used. The definition
of qualitative/quantitative protection aims is an essential component of
these methods and thus creates the necessary rules for the measure of
threat response. When protection aims are defined, it is necessary to
differentiate between individual risks, which are determined by subjective
evaluation measurements, and the collective risk, which is determined by
the social environment. At the moment, sufficient reliable protection aims
for civil protection, which are based on science, do not exist. Therefore,
it is necessary to thoroughly investigate indicators for the determination
of such protection aims and to discuss them with all affected people in
the near future.”
Prof Dr Ing. Heinz-Willi Brenig, Fachhochschule Cologne, Institute for Rescue Engineering and Threat
Response, member of the Commission for the Protection of the Civil Population at the Federal Ministry
of the Interior.
18
The Federal Ministry of the Interior
published a guideline for entrepreneurs and authorities about
the topic of “Protection of Critical
Infrastructures”.
Schutz Kritischer Infrastrukturen –
Risiko- und Krisenmanagement
Leitfaden für Unternehmen und Behörden
Facilities for energy supply belong to Critical Infrastructures and must be
protected with extra care.
should be maintained in the case of an incident”
(source of the definition: BBK Glossary). With the
help of a defined protection level, it is possible to
check whether existing protection measures can
be considered sufficient. A possible approach to
the definition of quantifiable protection aims is
the determination of threshold values. This approach is based on the assumption that the players affected by an incident, for example operators
of Critical Infrastructures, emergency management authorities and supporting institutions as
well as the population, have different capacities to
cope with an incident. If these coping capacities
are detected, it can be shown in what areas and,
possibly, after what incident duration, the supply of the population with essential commodities
cannot be guaranteed any more. Coping capacities depend on scenarios.
Thus, thanks to preventative measures, occasionally
occurring incidents can be better managed than
first-time or unexpected events, which have an
extreme impact on the people affected and can
threaten their livelihood. In the context of the
discussion about protection level and protection
aim, a discussion about threat scenarios is therefore also necessary. As far as the question about a
generally accepted protection level is concerned,
BBK is still in the early stages of discussion
with partners from science, economy and the
authorities. From the point of view of BBK, the
decision, which is expected to be made after the
procedure, must enjoy political support.
Critical Infrastructures
Organisations and facilities of great importance to the state, the failure or impairment of
which would result in serious supply shortages, considerable disruption of public safety or
other dramatic consequences (definition by the Federal Ministry of the Interior).
Sectors of Critical Infrastructures:
• Energy supply
• Supply of information technology and
telecommunication
• Transport and traffic
• Health
•
•
•
•
•
Water
Nutrition
Finance and insurance
State and administration as well as
Media and culture
19
Emergency preparedness in water supply
As a country which is predominantly rich in water resources, Germany hardly needs to fear an emergency
in drinking water supply. Normally, the abstraction of drinking water is possible any time and almost everywhere across the Federal Republic. Nevertheless, the flooding of the river Elbe and Danube and other
disaster events in the past were a reminder that emergencies can occur.
The river Elbe flood in 2002 lead to the impairment of the water supply. This was caused by the
flooding of sewage treatment plants, the flooding
of industrial surfaces and the resulting introduction of hazardous substances in the waters of
the region. In the district of Weißeritz, the water
supply was interrupted in 54 places. In recent
years, it has become obvious that the focus is on
new threats, above all on the ongoing process of
climate change and related extreme incidents.
Differences in the supply structure
In relation to other European countries, water
supply in Germany is very heterogeneous, as it
is provided by a small number of large companies and a great number of smaller enterprises.
More than 6,200 water supply enterprises (German abbreviation WVU), of which about 4,800
have their own water extraction, ensure that
a sufficient quantity of good quality drinking
water is available to the consumer. The average size of the water supply enterprises varies
significantly in the different Länder. Above all,
in Bavaria and parts of Baden-Württemberg,
there are many small water supply enterprises
in the districts. The sizes of the companies,
which are small compared with other European
countries, offer the advantage that the responsibility for the water resources and their use are
closely connected. The disadvantage, however,
is the poor economic profitability and efficiency
of the enterprises and also a lower degree of
specialisation of the employees.
In Germany, drinking water is in most cases
gained from ground water. However, there are
significant regional differences. The different
sources have an enormous range of raw water
quantity and quality. Therefore, also the kind
and degree of the necessary technical raw water
treatment to drinking water differ considerably.
The large number of German water supply
companies of the most diverse size categories
and their technical-infrastructural equipment
give rise to extremely different capacities which
make it difficult to compare the enterprises.
Though each water supplier is obliged to comply with the drinking water regulations, there
are certain degrees of freedom with regard to
those measures of quality assurance and risk
management which are not subject to legal
requirements.
Group tapping point at a drinking water emergency well.
Emergency case measures
Principally, the supply of drinking water by the
water supply companies must not be interrupted
by short-term business disruptions. Though the
disruption of the grid and pipeline-bound supply happens relatively rarely in Germany, it is
nevertheless possible. According to the drinking
water regulation, the water supply companies
are obliged to take preventative action and to
create operational plans. They must be able to
demonstrate how the switch to a different water
20
supply will be done and what offices will have
to be informed, when the supply with water
must be interrupted with immediate effect. In
an emergency, it is necessary to fi rst process
these action plans. If the water supply companies cannot guarantee a grid and pipelinebound supply, alternative solutions have to be
considered in the context of general economic
interest, such as mobile treatment units, water
transport capacities and, not least, the supply of
the population with water provided by drinking
water emergency wells.
The drinking water emergency supply by emergency wells stems from the era of the Cold War
and is implemented by the Federal Office of
Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance on the
basis of the water assurance law. The task of the
drinking water emergency supply is the provision of the disaster-stricken part of the population with essential drinking water via currently
about 5,200 self-contained wells. There, at group
tapping points, the population can independently get water with the help of containers, when
public water companies are no longer able to
deliver water. The emergency wells were sunk in
different aquifers across Germany and are able
to supply the population with water of a sufficient quality level.
Drinking water emergency supply will be regarded as an important and indispensable
component of a comprehensive and multistage
provision concept. However, the changed threat
and risk potentials require the adaptation of the
drinking water emergency concept. A basic condition for this is a comprehensive threat and risk
analysis of water supply according to the all-risk
approach and the exploration of alternatives to
emergency care. Such an approach would allow
the systematic and customised planning and
implementation of water security in the future.
Number of water supply companies per administrative district
and autonomous city respectively
Caption
Number of WVU/
administrative district
1–2
3–5
6–15
16–45
46–141
No data
Länder borders
Administrative district borders
Opening of an emergency well.
Data source: Erhebung zur öffentlichen Wasserversorgung, Statistische Landesämter 2007
Cartography and design: BBK 2011
*) The regional allocation is effectuated according to the headquarters of the water supply companies.
Number of water supply companies per administrative district and autonomous cities respectively in Germany.
21
Networking of science in research, experiments
and practice
Close cooperation concerning the impact of extreme weather and structural safety
Extreme weather incidents and the impact they have on building structures, technical equipment and on
the functioning of Critical Infrastructures have increasingly become the focus of attention. The steadily
increasing extreme weather incidents and the more intensive natural forces require answers which can
only be found by combing the efforts of science and research with practice-oriented implementation.
Therefore, it is necessary to build up an expert network where structural civil protection and the structural protection of Critical Infrastructures are the focus of the issues at stake. The range of this expert
network is as comprehensive and varied as the topic.
The increasing violence of extreme weather incidents, which will result from climate change, also
means that the existing standards in the building sector and urban planning will be stretched
to their limits in the future. More extreme wind
speeds, more serious and more frequent flooding
and flash floods in densely built-up urban areas
can lead to a risk potential which exceeds the
threshold of conventional security philosophy.
This development could be combined with an
increasing risk of anthropogenic risks. For future urban and construction planning, all those
responsible are called for, when structural safety
in civil protection and the structural protection of
Critical Infrastructures is at stake: urban planners
as well as architects and building engineers, scientists and researchers, producers of safety elements
as well as craftsmen who have to implement the
requirements of developed security strategies as
the future “acknowledged state of the art”.
Sociologists and psychologists, too, will contribute to the expert network “risk management in
the sector of construction”, when emergency
exit planning, evacuations and other large-scale
disasters are to be dealt in combination with
an impact on structural and urban planning. We
hope that we will be able to fill a big gap by establishing this comprehensive network to be in a
position to further develop structural civil protection together in the future.
Federal Minister of the Interior, Dr Hans-Peter Friedrich, at the
BBK stand on the day of the Deutschlandfest (German Festival) in
October 2011.
By means of a model, members of the Universität der Bundeswehr
(University of the Federal Armed Forces) in Munich explain the
impact of an earthquake to visitors of the Deutschlandfest 2011.
German Festival (Deutschlandfest) 2011
On the occasion of the Deutschlandfest (German
Festival) in Bonn from 1 to 3 October 2011, the
citizens could see evidence of this cooperation.
In cooperation with the Universität der Bundeswehr (University of the Federal Armed Forces)
in Munich and the Meteorological Institute of
22
the University of Hamburg, interactive simulation models were developed, which allowed the
visitors of the Deutschlandfest an insight into the
development of extreme natural events and their
impact on the structure of buildings.
With the help of a large wall-mounted model,
the dispersion of clouds of harmful substances
in inner-city, densely built-up areas was demonstrated. It was clearly noticeable how zones of
high concentrations with harmful substances are
formed and how, with the further passage of the
cloud, turbulences to high-rise facades occurred.
An oversized simulation model of a tornado,
which had been integrated into the exhibition
concept with the help of the Hamburg Institute for Weather and Climate Communication,
showed the visitors the formation of this extreme
weather phenomenon.
In cooperation with BBK’s own project group
“Bau-Protect”, the Institute for Hydraulic Engineering of the Universität der Bundeswehr in
Munich demonstrated extreme floods on a model.
In a “river bed”, which was especially reconstructed for demonstration purposes, the impact of
floods and flash floods on bridges and buildings
could be shown in an impressive way.
Thunderstorm.
of the BBK-stand: with small pieces of model
limestone, visitors of the stand could build little
houses, which were then subjected to an earthquake simulation.
The visitors could see very well what damage
mechanisms have an impact on buildings, when
an earthquake is ripping through the earth, and
what reinforcement measures could contribute
to earthquake safety for similar loads. For nonprofessionals in particular, these impressive,
awareness-raising experiments – small as they
were – contributed to a better understanding of
the whole picture.
The earthquake simulation stand of the Institute
for Statics and Mechanics of the Universität der
Bundeswehr in Munich demonstrated the interaction of science and research directly to visitors
Simulation model of extreme floods and their impact at the
Deutschlandfest in October 2011.
The Leonardobrücke as a visual model at the Deutschlandfest in
October 2011.
23
Civil protection beyond borders
Disasters, irrespective of whether they are natural or man-made, do not stop at state borders – a truism.
Preventative measures, assistance or an exchange of experiences across borders must be cultivated and
strengthened. International agreements such as, for example, bilateral assistance agreements or the EU
Mechanism are efficient means to achieve this.
In numerous international committees and projects, BBK represents the interest of the Federal
Republic of Germany in civil protection. One of
BBK’s aims is to accompany the development at
international level and to profit from insights
gained from international exchange at a national
level. Thus, BBK participated in the 3rd Global
Platform, the biggest conference worldwide on
disaster management (8–13 May 2011 in Geneva).
is done, for example, by bringing together the
strengths and know-how in border regions.
With the motto of the conference, “Invest today
for a safer tomorrow – increased investment
in local action”, key aspects of German civil
protection, namely disaster management and
the strengthening of the local level, could be
reflected in an international context. BBK also accompanies the discussions at the European level.
Here, it is the cooperation of the Member States
and the strengthening of preventative measures
which are of the highest importance.
The cooperation however goes beyond states
directly bordering Germany and includes countries further afield. Thus, Russia was supported
in the fight against forest fires, (technical) equipment of civil protection or in the protection of
Critical Infrastructures (KRITIS). In the field of
KRITIS, there is one issue in particular which is
receiving global attention: Cybersecurity.
Successful cooperation
BBK does not only focus on multilateral cooperation in international committees and organisations. It is, rather, the bilateral cooperation
and exchange of knowledge which contribute
to a better standing of civil protection. This
A good example is the cooperation with Switzerland, whose structures can be compared
with Germany. The two countries share much
in common, such as risk analysis across borders,
cooperation in CBRN protection or the joint
development of evacuation scenarios.
Against this background, the great international
interest in LÜKEX 2011 – the “crisis management
exercise across Länder” – whose crisis scenario
consisted of IT attacks, is not surprising. At the
visitors’ forum, we could welcome more than
60 participants from 22 countries and organisations. IT security is not only at the top of the
priority list in Germany, as comparable contributions from the USA and Israel have shown. BBK
will continue to promote and further develop
appropriate projects.
People from throughout the world attended the opening of the
international LÜKEX 2011 forum.
Training
Strengthening of the self-help ability
of young people
The need to provide training
News about accidents and disasters are a part of everyday life. We can all be affected by devastating
fires, floods, power cuts, biological or chemical threats or other unexpected disasters. A comprehensive emergency response system is in place to avert danger and protect the population. While fire
brigades and rescue services are available to offer assistance in everyday life, the Länder are
responsible for disaster management, in order to respond to disasters and large-scale threats.
However, until help arrives, time passes – valuable time, which can make all the difference
between life and death or the preservation of
property values; minutes during which individuals might have to rely on their own capabilities
for survival. When an emergency has already
occurred, it is too late for preventative measures.
It is crucial to realise that a fi re, accident or
disaster can lead to a situation which makes
preparation essential. It is not possible to store
drinking water when the public drinking water
supply has come to a standstill – emergency
supplies must be stored in good time, before
they are no longer available in the shops.
Only someone who has already dealt with a dangerous situation before can react appropriately to
help oneself and help others. Often, just a little
time or effort is all that is needed to prepare
oneself and one’s family for potential emergencies. Learning first aid, for example, provides a
solid foundation for a series of measures, which
Training
fit into one another like the links of a chain, to
save the lives of injured or ill people.
25
BBK brochure,“How to be
prepared for an emergency”.
Introduction of a new course in medical primary
care, including self-help components
BBK has promoted courses in medical primary
care with self-help components since 2005 to
strengthen the self-help ability of the population. The target group are youth between the age
of 10 and 16. The training was reassigned by the
procurement authority of the Federal Ministry
of the Interior until 2014 to a bidder consortium
consisting of the Workers’ Samaritan Federation
e. V. (ASB), the German Life-Saving Society e. V.
(DLRG), the German Red Cross (DRK), the Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe e. V. (JUH) and the Malteser
Hilfsdienst e. V. (MHD). Annually, about 90,000
to 100,000 young people receive training for how
to behave appropriately in emergencies.
The twelve-hour course in “Medical primary
care for young people with self-help components” is mainly organised at schools. The target
group are youth between the age of 10 and 16
years, who, as disseminators of information,
share what they have learnt with their families
and contribute to spreading the self-help concept. The contractors see to a nation-wide, even
distribution of the training courses.
Aim of the course
Contents of the course
The aim of the course it to provide the participants with knowledge, skills and competences
required for emergencies in which they are
initially left to their own resources. They should
learn to develop qualifications with a view to
give reasons for competent behaviour in present
and future life situations and to promote its
implementation.
In contrast to “classical” courses in immediate
life-saving actions and first aid, the medical subjects are supplemented by a series of “self-help
components”, for example, rules of conduct and
references in the event of a power cut, emergency supplies or rules of conduct in the event
of floods or storms. During the 12-hour course,
BBK staff takes part in a first aid course.
What should be included in a first aid kit?
26
the participants learn to recognise life-threatening situations. After the course they will be
able to take appropriate actions to provide first
aid and save human lives. Examples are the
recovery position, the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (HLW), wound treatment, the removal of
the helmet of an unconscious motorcyclist and
shock prevention. In addition to these topics,
the course participants are also taught about
civil protection, including the rescue service and
disaster management. The focus is here on being prepared for all sorts of emergencies.
The course participants receive a brochure from
the relief organisations about the contents of
medical primary care and also the brochure
“How to be prepared for an emergency”, which
was published by BBK. As a complement to the
course, the brochure offers not only a checklist but also a survey of self-help measures for
emergencies. The brochure includes information
about preventative care and self-help, disaster
management, floods, storms and self-help at
home.
Conclusion
Providing youth between the age of 10 and 16
with medical primary care training is the right
approach for strengthening the self-help ability
of the population. The target group was deliberately chosen, as the trained youth usually share
their acquired knowledge within their circle of
family and friends and thus help to spread the
concept of self-help amongst the population.
In the future, further self-help topics will complement the course. An additional four-hour
module, “fire protection”, will then complete the
training in medical primary care with self-help
components. Following the preparation of the
curriculum, the implementation of the course is
currently being approved.
School paramedics at a first aid exercise.
Are these the future life-savers?
Training
27
Lifelong learning
Basic training, vocational training and further training at AKNZ as investment in the future of civil protection
“You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” – this wisdom no longer applies to today’s complex and global
world. Thus, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research noted in its publications on the topic of
“lifelong learning”: “Globalisation and a society where knowledge reigns pose major challenges to
people, a development which is exacerbated by demographic changes. Knowledge and the ability to
use the acquired knowledge must be continuously adapted and expanded by lifelong learning. This is
the only way to maintain and improve personal orientation, social participation and employability.
What does the term “lifelong learning” mean?
“Lifelong learning includes any formal, nonformal and informal learning activities at different learning venues from early childhood to
the retirement phase. Such a policy understands
learning as the constructive transformation of
information and experiences into knowledge,
insights and competences”.
Lifelong learning in civil protection aims at
developing, by means of efficient training processes, decision-making skills in different competence areas of people who commit themselves
to civil protection – either as volunteers or as
part of their jobs. Against the background of the
concept of lifelong learning, the education and
further education at school is just one component of this continuous learning process.
Facets of decision-making skills
Here, decision-making skills in civil protection
as well as risk and crisis management mean the
willingness and competence of the individual
to behave in relevant situations in a thoughtful and individually and socially responsible
way. Decision-making competence includes the
dimensions of technical expertise, human competence and social competence.
Technical expertise means the willingness
and competence to solve tasks and problems
of civil protection and risk and crisis management. This requires expert knowledge and
skills, as well as goal-oriented, methodical an
independent evaluation. Human competence
refers to the competence to unfold one’s own
talent in the fields of action of civil protection
and to make and further develop life plans
for the future. It involves characteristics such
as independence, criticism ability, confidence,
reliability, a sense of responsibility and duty.
This concept includes, above all, the development of a carefully thought-out sense of values
and the self-determined attachment to values
which shape civil protection. Social competence
means the willingness and ability to live and
design social relationships in civil protection, to
grasp and understand tensions and also to deal
with others in a rational and responsible way.
The development of social responsibility and
solidarity should be included here.
Investment in “heads”
A component of technical expertise, human
and social competence are methodological,
learning and communicative competences:
methodological competence means the willingness and competence to act systematically,
when tasks and problems have to be dealt with.
Communicative competence means the willingness and competence to understand and
design communicative situations. This includes
the ability to perceive, understand and describe
one’s own intentions and needs as well as those
of the partners within the cross-social system
and the people affected by disasters etc. Learning competence is the willingness and ability to
understand, evaluate and conceptually integrate information about facts and connections
independently and together with others. Learning competence includes, above all, the ability
and willingness to develop learning techniques
and strategies in civil protection, risk and
crisis management and to use them for lifelong
28
learning (cf.: Handreichung für die Erarbeitung
von Rahmenlehrplänen der Kultusministerkonferenz für den berufsbezogenen Unterricht in
der Berufsschule und ihre Abstimmung mit
Ausbildungsordnungen des Bundes für anerkannte Ausbildungsberufe, Bonn, September
2007; Guidelines for the Development of Framework Curricula of the Ministers’ Conference for
Vocational Teaching at Vocational Schools and
their Coordination with the Education Regulations of the Federation for recognised Occupations).
physical well-being of the people entrusted to
our care.
The investment focus in the future of the
“heads of civil protection”, which AKNZ, as a
central civil protection training institution, undertook in 2011 in the context of the national
security system, was the following:
Further development of the customised
training offer in the context of a participantoriented variety of methods by, for example,
virtual learning offers, in-house-coaching,
simulation applications, etc.
Qualitative further development of the virtual academy and continuation of the application to other selected seminars
Further integration of simulation technologies in training, above all, in the context of
a cooperation agreement with the Armed
Forces about the civil use of the simulation
software “SIRA”
Development and adaptation of learning
goal and topic catalogues on training modules
in the context of training on behalf of the
Federation
Development and cultivation of the network
with other training institutions
Simulation technology software “SIRA”.
In that sense, AKNZ sees its educational mandate mainly in “investing in heads” to improve
the individual competences and skills of responsible parties and leading managers so they
can successfully master new challenges. Hence,
it follows that it is less a matter of teaching
tools and individual skills, which are tailormade for special scenarios, but to develop decision-making competences, which go beyond
skills. In 2011, AKNZ invested in altogether
9,843 heads by offering 512 seminars (including
major events and conferences). On a daily basis,
about 87 staff members and many freelancers
and guest lecturers looked after the mental and
Training
29
Development of cooperation activities with,
for example, the Regional School of Public
Administration (Bremen), the Police University (Hamburg), the German Police University,
the Federal Academy for Security Policy, the
German Armed Forces Staff College
Development of international contacts: Intensification of the cooperation with the Nederlands Institut Fysieke Veiligheid Nibra
Implementation of High Level Coordination
Courses on behalf of the EU
Organisation of the exercise LÜKEX.
Training of senior members of administration
as well as lecturers of the Chinese Academy
of Governance and the Chinese provincial
schools of administration in the sector of
crisis management at administrative-organisational level
Crisis training for embassy members in cooperation with the Academy of Foreign Affairs
Participation in various research projects,
such as “Components for security at largescale events” (BaSiGo), Security2People (S2P),
preparedness for terrorist attacks, crises and
disasters (VoTeKK)
Preparation and implementation of LÜKEX
Chinese and Germans during a staff exercise in the context of the project
training of instructors/trainers.
Exercising participants in the High Level Coordination Course.
30
Crisis management has top priority
Training is necessary even at the highest level
Triple disaster in Japan, debt crisis in Europe, love parade in Duisburg – three different events that have one thing
in common: in all three cases, the media and public requested very clearly visible actions from the highest echelons of politics, administration and enterprises. Crisis management was declared a matter for senior management.
If there is no success, if there are doubts about competences or if the boss does not take on responsibility, then
punishment is the outcome. This happened with the Japanese government, at the management of Tepco and in
Athens. Punishment was also requested by the public in Duisburg.
Crisis management is a matter for top-level
managers. Those who tan themselves at the top
must accept liability in full in the event of a crisis.
Top managers in administration and economy
have extensive life experience. They have mastered management tasks and learned management tools in everyday situations or by coaching.
Nevertheless, there is more to it, not just facts,
evaluation and decisions. Especially at this level
the feeling for sensitive aspects is necessary. What
actions, what emotions does the decision trigger?
How do both the mind and the gut feeling influence the decision?
With the seminar series “Crisis management has
top priority”, the Academy for Crisis Management, Emergency Planning and Civil Protection
addresses political and administrative responsible
parties, as well as leading staff members from
Critical Infrastructure enterprises. The district
administrator is addressed, as well as the head of
department from the Land Ministry for consumer
protection, for the interior or the environment.
National security precaution is comprehensive.
An essential element is the active cooperation of
the players. Discussions are required, one’s own
experience must be contributed when the tabloid
press or the daily newspaper report about one’s
own work. Time pressure, the parallel processing
of electronic media, readers’ expectations – several aspects influence the report or the interview.
The PR work of crisis staff is extremely versatile
and decides about success to the same extent as
operative measures. When the media are dealt
with and the crisis staff issues a publication,
psychological factors must be included. One’s
own functionality must also be questioned. What
psychological action mechanisms influence one’s
own thinking and actions? How is it possible to
achieve a sensible and sound decision, even in
stress situations? Human factors are analysed and
discussed with psychologists. What about perception, attention, tiredness, stress? How is team
communication organised? For some time, the
work of crisis staffs but also the individual competences of crisis staff members have been the
subject of scientific investigations and advice. The
“boss” should keep tabs on these discussions to be
able to use and manage his or her own resources
and the team’s resources in an efficient way.
After having looked at the psychological aspect of
management, almost automatically another topic
for top management results from it. What about
management, ethics and morale respectively?
Crisis management is required in exceptional
situations – when the usual structures are overwhelmed. In such situations, often decisions are
necessary which present themselves as a choice
between two evils. Decisions against something
or somebody. What about our moral principles,
when we must stop break off a life-saving action?
When we must decide whether to rescue person
A or B, without having an alternative? Do ethics
and morals depend on situations? Such questions
must be thought through. Theologians, scientists
and people who have to make such decisions help
with their knowledge. Crisis management is a
matter for top-level managers, but the ability to
cope well with crises is not automatically transferred, together with the office.
Training
31
Opinions about the seminar
“‘Crisis management has top priority’ – that
goes without saying, what else? What about
the practice? Little theory, but many new
ideas and field reports, an excursion to a big
newspaper office – that was the seminar. Crisis
management not only in disaster management but also in politics and economy, what
can we learn from success and, above all, from
failure, for our own tasks and our own behaviour? And typical of Ahrweiler: a good climate
between the seminar participants, meeting
old companions who are taking part in other
seminars, excellent food. My conclusion: two
days which were worth it.”
Karl-Heinz Knorr, Chief Fire Officer and Head of
the Fire Brigade in Bremen
“In 2010 I already took part in the 3rd part
of the seminar ‘Management and ethics’. The
competent contributions of the speakers and
the open discussions with the participants
were reason enough for me to repeat the
experience in 2011. I haven’t regretted this
decision and discovered that for managers the
reflection about their decisions from an ethical point of view must be an ‘ongoing theme’.
Only the anticipatory awareness of one’s own
options, by taking one’s own value system in
a changing environment under consideration, allows us in a crisis to make decisions of
conscience which we can answer to ourselves.
Overall assessment: recommendable and absolutely necessary!”
Dieter Klinger, Head of Directorate Special
Tasks, Cologne Police Headquarters
“The events give a comprehensive insight into
the demands on successful crisis management.
The professional exchange with other seminar
participants who came from various administrative sectors contributed to the positive
assessment. Overall, in every respect a rewarding event.”
Prof Dr Wolf-Uwe Sponer, Head of Department,
Land Directorate Chemnitz
“Thank you very much for the opportunity to
take part in the three seminars ‘Crisis management has top priority’. These seminars with
the main subjects of ‘Media, psychology and
ethics’ have given me valuable new insights
into my professional and voluntary activities
in the areas of emergency care and disaster
control for cooperating with authorities, emergency staff and the population. The seminars
with the focus on psychology and, above all,
ethics are rarely offered in Austria or even not
at all. I would also like to mention the very
interesting and fruitful experience exchange
with the other seminar participants.”
RR Egon Rauter, Sub-department Head, local
government, Klagenfurt
“This seminar offers participants valuable
inspiration and new ideas on subjects which
are very important for crisis management but
easily forgotten in everyday life. Above all, the
psychological aspects of cooperation in a crisis
staff and ethical borderline experiences were
presented by very competent and convincing
lecturers in a very practice-oriented way.”
Gerd Gräff, Deputy Head of Department, Ministry of the Interior, Sport and Infrastructure
Rhineland-Palatinate
32
Technology-based training for operative tasks
Few disasters occur in Germany, and that is a good thing. The challenge is to have the people who act
in the event of a disaster ready for deployment so that they can recognise disasters at an early stage and
deal with them efficiently. The Joint Information and Situation Centre of the Federation and the Länder,
in German abbreviated as GMLZ, sees to operative tasks within BBK. The tasks are diverse, and the operating personnel must be trained accordingly.
The Joint Information and Situation Centre is
the only office in Germany which generates
a comprehensive national and international
situation picture in the area of civil protection.
In disaster missions, it also does research on
bottle-neck resources and experts and communicates the results to the political bodies. The
members of GMLZ constantly gather information across the world and screen and evaluate it
according to its relevance. It is then compiled in
up-to-date reports such as situation reports and
situation pictures. This information is then distributed to different political bodies, such as the
situation centres of the Länder and the federal
departments, to international organisations and
authorities as well as relief organisations. The
aim is to point out possible complex scenarios
at an early stage and to forecast damage developments in the event of an incident so that
the responsible offices can react more quickly.
As the information is always incomplete and
unstable, this analysis process is not a trivial act
and presents a challenge for the employees of
GMLZ.
At the same time, GMLZ is the point of contact
for different national and international reporting, information and warning procedures. They
include, for example, a faster exchange of information between the EU member states in radiological incidents, rapid alert systems for biological, chemical and atomic threats and attacks at
European level, and information procedures in
the event of the cross-border impact of industrial accidents. In particular, the procedures mentioned here require quick detection and reliable
actions according to defined standards. However,
such events occur very rarely and thus the staff
of GMLZ cannot develop a routine.
GMLZ does not have sufficient staff to process
complex and long-lasting situations. Therefore,
shift work is complemented by so-called support
staff across BBK, who then take over important
tasks, for example, the development of a situation update. To this end, the support staff are
introduced to the tasks and must work several
shifts per year.
Both the support staff and the full-time employees of GMLZ must perform very important and
diverse activities which are often not ordinary
tasks and therefore require thorough training.
Technology-based training at GMLZ
At the moment, this training is provided by
“training on the job” and additional individual
training where the work during the shift work
is realistically simulated in a training environment. Both the trainers and the trainees find the
benefits of the training to be very high. However,
this kind of training requires the constant guidance of a trainer, who is therefore not always
available to do his or her shift work. For this
reason, it is not possible to repeat the training
several times a year. To better meet the high
quality standard of the GMLZ shift work, the
training concept for both support staff and fulltime GMLZ staff is being revised, in cooperation
with the Centre of technology-based Training
(ZtB) of the Helmut-Schmidt-University/University of the Armed Forces Hamburg.
The new concept envisages a mixture of teaching and practical components with realistic
training modules with and without coaching (s.
illustrations 1 and 2).
Training
33
Illustration 1: Training modules for full-time GMLZ staff (in yellow: e-learning modules).
Full-time employees at GMLZ
Subject of training
Timeframe execution
Module 1 “procedures” (practical exercise + coaching)
180
Module 2 “procedures + BAO” (practical exercise + coaching)
180
Module 3 “procedures + BAO shift with several people” (practical exercise + coaching)
180
Module 4 “BAO complex situation shift with several people” (practical exercise + coaching)
180
Technical module (conference technology) (practical individual training)
90
+ further practical modules
Short module ATF
30
Short module request for assistance EU/NATO
60
Short module water contamination
30
Short module IGV/IHR
60
Short module IAEA
30
Short module SAFER
30
Short module ECURIE
30
Short module distribution potassium iodide tablets
60
+ further action-oriented e-learning modules
Illustration 2: Training modules for support staff (in yellow: e-learning modules).
Support staff
Subject of training
Timeframe execution (min)
Basic introduction to GMLZ (order, organisation, functioning)
90
ETB-leader/proof (practical module)
60
Situation (theoretical basic instruction)
90
Situation (practical module situation update)
60
Situation (practical module situation report)
180
Resource management (theoretical basic instruction)
60
Resource management (practical module)
60
A new aspect of the training modules is the
additional use of technology-based learning
methods. Thus, the need to have a trainer is
reduced and simultaneously the sustainability of
the imparted competences is ensured. For each
reporting, information and warning procedure,
an action-oriented e-learning module is created, which is independently completed by the
staff in about half an hour. At the beginning
of these modules, the student receives several
pieces of information via a simulated email or
simulated fax. From these documents he or she
must filter the information which requires action. The trainee must then process the identified procedure according to the given standards.
Finally, the result is sent to the trainer, who
evaluates and discusses it with the trainee. In
each e-learning module the student uses his or
her normal shift working environment, so that
the actions required would relevant in reality.
The same principle applies to the practice of the
creation of situation reports, the maintenance of
incident logs or resource management.
According to current plans, altogether 20 actionoriented e-learning modules with different topics
are to be created. The topics which only rarely
occur in everyday shift work can then be virtually exercised several times a year. Thus, the staff
can act with confidence, and the quality can
34
continue to grow. Within the project, the ZtB will
scientifically support the development, evaluation and further development of technologybased modules and of training measures which
have to be revised. It will do so until the end
of 2013. The information to be provided can be
changed any time to allow the inclusion of results from the evaluation in the e-learning modules. It is also possible to adapt the date of the
input of the individual scenarios to allow more
time for processing or to heighten the pressure.
Extension of the concept
All action-oriented e-learning modules are integrated into the learning platform of the authority-owned Academy for Crisis Management,
Emergency Planning and Civil Protection so that
all support and full-time GMLZ staff can profit
from the training in their usual work environment. Furthermore, it is envisaged to practice
other operative tasks from BBK with e-learning
modules in the future. This is, for example,
conceivable for the support staff of the central
office for the Coordination of Aftercare, Help for
Victims and their Relatives (NOAH) or the support staff of the alert sector.
E-learning platform of the Academy for Crisis Management, Emergency
Planning and Civil Protection (AKNZ).
Modern training technologies – e-learning.
Glimpse of the Joint Information and Situation Centre (GMLZ).
Training
35
The all-rounder is tomorrow’s specialist
New Master’s programme trains future crisis managers
The holistic approach to disaster prevention and disaster management is the focus of a Master’s programme at the University of Bonn, which is organised in cooperation with the Federal Office of Civil
Protection and Disaster Assistance.
In a globalised and increasingly tightly networked world, local disasters have an impact
on many areas of life. Domino effects and dependencies are new challenges which must be
treated across departments. The earthquake in
Japan not only led to a tsunami and a nuclear
disaster, it also had an impact on the global
economy and the Federal Republic’s attitude
towards energy politics. When confronted
with such a challenge, expert knowledge can
be an obstacle as it looks at special scenarios
and is based on past events and experience.
A creative approach to solutions, which sets
aside established emergency plans if the starting point changes, is necessary. The Master’s
programme Disaster Prevention and Management (KaVoMa), which is organised at the
University of Bonn in cooperation with the
Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster
Assistance, trains future crisis managers to see
the bigger picture.
Interdisciplinary and diverse
The KaVoMa students cover a broad spectrum of
backgrounds: the participants from the past six
years have several years of professional experience in the most varied areas. Thus, biologists
and civil engineers, geographers and psychologists, security managers, theologians, journalists and management consultants are brought
together in the lecture halls.
They all have one aim: to get a holistic view of
disaster prevention and disaster management
and to identify the interactions of different sectors of life. Here, the training of all-rounders,
who have a fundamental understanding of the
diverse aspects of risk regulations, is in the
forefront to get the right staff at the right time
in the event of an emergency and manage the
disaster together. The curriculum is as diverse
as the students.
The differences between scientific and psychological aspects, law and management make for
controversial discussions at times. It is impor-
Web page for the KaVoMa study programme.
Future crisis manager being trained.
36
Crisis communication has to be learnt.
KaVoMa-students.
tant to provide key competences to the students
which are necessary for sustainable disaster
prevention and thus sustainable disaster management in general.
related sectors, who are looking for an additional academic qualification. KaVoMa directly
addresses people employed in public administration, from disaster control and disaster
assistance organisations, commerce and related
sectors, who are looking for an additional academic qualification.
Seeing the big picture
Within the total of nine study modules, the
students regularly change their role. One module, for example, may be about their area of
specialty, allowing them to pass on their experiences to fellow students, and in another
module they may be absolute laymen and will
benefit from the contributions of lecturers and
students. Thus, lively discussions are initiated,
in which experts learn from experts and moreover develop positive personal attributes such as
empathy. Already during their studies, the students establish networks from which they profit,
especially in the course of their professional life.
The students learn about later areas of activities
from their lecturers and fellow students, which
can be concretised not least through the completion of a Master’s thesis. At the latest before
they do crisis staff work, the students develop
from academic “lone fighters” to team players
and prepare for a concrete crisis by means of
risk analyses.
Target group
KaVoMa directly addresses people employed in
public administration, from disaster control and
disaster assistance organisations, commerce and
KaVoMa flyer
Training
Learn how to look at civil security precaution & security management
from a different point of view
Opinion of a graduate of the Master’s programme Disaster Prevention and Disaster Management
(KaVoMa):
Why study KaVoMa? Because the world, including the world of disaster managers, has become
more colourful, diverse but also much more complex. At the beginning of my secondment as a
lecturer at the AKNZ, I was looking for an opportunity to supplement my knowledge in the area
of civil security management
Medical doctors 8 %
academically. The combination
of studies, organised by the UniGeographers 7 %
versity of Bonn as a scientific
partner and the Federal Office
Lawyers 3 %
of Civil Protection and Disaster
Assistance as an operative and,
Others 39 %
at the same time, political partner, sounded very exciting.
In nine modules (or ten weekends in total) and eight-week
Engineers 26 %
learning phase between each
module, you were virtually
forced to see your seemingly familiar area of activities with the
BA Rescue Eng 3 %
eyes of a geologist, a sociologist,
Teachers 3 %
Public administration graduates 11 %
a health physician, etc. That was
extremely exciting. However,
during the work on my Master’s thesis, when I was in Haiti, I could see that the road from the
different theoretical points of view to their practical implementation can often enough be long
and difficult. Therefore, I found the exchange between my fellow students and their different
backgrounds all the more important for my work and professional future.
Not least the final exercise as an enterprise crisis staff member showed me that, in the 1 ½ years
of the attendance phase, we have grown together as a strong team – despite having such diverse
backgrounds and experience. A good basis for a professional network in the sector of civil security – the KaVoMa alumni will certainly contribute to that.
Year representative for the 5 th year KaVoMa,
lic.iur. Jörg M. Haas
cand. Disaster Management and Risk Governance
Lecturer in rescue service, scientific staff member
at the German Red Cross General Secretariat
37
Exercise
Success thanks to team work and networking
IT disturbances: Strategic crisis management exercise “LÜKEX 2011”
On 30 November and 1 December 2012: Followed with the great interest of the media and public,
“LÜKEX 2011”, the biggest strategic exercise in German civil protection, reaches its peak with the twoday exercise implementation. The topic of the exercise is security in information technology (IT). “Germany rehearses for the worst-case cyber attack scenario the Cyber-GAU” is the rather sensational headline of the “Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung”; similar headlines are used by other media. More than
2,500 people from the Federation, the Länder, Critical Infrastructure enterprises and other organisations
are taking part in “LÜKEX 2011“.
About the fight against “Trojans” and other IT
malware
Flashback to early 2010: Those who are responsible for strategic crisis management in civil
protection within the interior ministries of the
Federation and the Länder formulate the tasks
and scenarios for “LÜKEX 2011”: “The exercise
scenario is based on IT disturbances caused by
targeted attacks … Considerable disturbances
in the sector of Critical Infrastructures and
supply shortages can be the consequence in
the social environment.” The topic is highly
relevant, as modern industrial societies depend
on functioning IT infrastructures. These structures are very complex. Hacker attacks across
the world have shown that they are prone to
crises and vulnerable. Therefore, they must be
protected against unauthorised interference;
disturbances or even an outage, could seriously
affect public life. “LÜKEX 11” wants to contribute to the optimisation of IT protection:
Exercise
structured as a strategic management exercise, the aim of the exercise is, according to
the ministerial requirements, to allow the
responsible decision-makers of state, society
and economy “to exercise cross-departmental
crisis/administration staff of the Federation
and the Länder as well as trans-national coordination committees in moving from IT crisis management to cross-departmental crisis
management”. The commission is challenging:
a complex exercise scenario must be developed – interdisciplinary and interactive – and
the action of numerous players from the most
diverse areas and levels must be integrated into
the concept of the exercise.
Close cooperation
April 2010 until November 2011: The planners
of “LÜKEX 2011” fully understand that the success of the exercise depends, to a large extent,
on the nationwide development of close-knit
teamwork during the planning and preparation
phase. Thus, the commission sets an entire cooperation process in motion: 11 federal departments, 21 federal authorities, 12 Länder with 37
regional authorities as well as 33 Critical Infrastructure enterprises and associations and two
international organisations will eventually be
involved in the working process. In this complex Federation-Länder project organisation,
the “project group LÜKEX (Federation)” will
form the “core team”.
Consisting of experts from the Federal Office of
Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK)
and the Federal Office for Information Security
(BSI), it will coordinate the tasks. It will tune
the exercise concept with all its subtleties and
ramifications together with the project groups
of the “intensively exercising Länder” and other
exercise participants.
A transnational and cross-departmental working group (AG LÜKEX) will coordinate the
development of the scenario, the script and
the exercise control. The “steering committee
LÜKEX”, an inter-ministerial supervisory board
of Federation and Länder representatives, will
be politically responsible for “LÜKEX 2011”.
39
Countless activities are imminent before the
start of the exercise: meetings of the project
groups and the working group; thematic workshops; expert talks; expert reviews; planning
meetings and more. Furthermore, a “visitors’
forum” for high-ranking visitors from home and
abroad must be prepared. Thus, by the end of the
exercise, a “cooperation network” will have been
created which will contribute considerably to the
optimisation of crisis management, including real
crisis situations, well beyond “LÜKEX 2011”.
Investment in the future
Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, 1 December 2011,
14:00: “LÜKEX 2011” is completed, the followup work can start. Like his colleagues from the
Länder, the Federal Minister of the Interior, Dr
Friedrich, acknowledges the achievement of the
exercise: the goal has been accomplished. The
minister highlights the contribution of teamwork
to this success: as with other areas of national security, “LÜKEX 2011” has shown that national IT
threat and danger situations can only be successfully averted in a joint effort of the participants.
The remarkably large and positive media interest
has shown how much importance in the meanwhile is attached to the LÜKEX exercise series for
the development of civil protection in Germany.
At the end of the almost two-year exercise cycle,
those responsible for the exercise concept at BBK
sum up the result: the work and effort that went
into the exercise was worth it. With respect to
civil crisis preparedness in Germany, “LÜKEX
2011” was a good investment in the future.
The topic of the exercise was security in information technology.
Valuable information provided by geo data
Taking the right measures with the help of digital satellite pictures
For its own evaluation and the support of relief measures by the Länder, BBK can resort to satellite
pictures of the European Union to assess the situation. The Joint Information and Situation Centre of the
Federation and the Länder (GMLZ) is the national contact point for this European service (GMES Emergency Management Service) and coordinates all national requests. The satellite pictures are evaluated by
specialised service providers and can be immediately used as information support in crisis management.
During the flood situation in January 2011, altogether 29 satellite image maps of the areas of Rhine and
Mosel, Weiße Elster, Saale, Elbe and Oder could be procured within three weeks and provided to the
involved and responsible offices.
Only by resorting to digital geo information, appropriate software and professional
expertise, can new and valuable information
be created from available data. This applies in
particular to the necessary creation of possible development prognoses which go beyond
the classical situation information (who, what,
when, how). To be able to gauge possible damage by incidents which could have an impact
on civil protection, a method was used which
was newly developed within the SAFER project. The aim was to get a nationwide asset
mapping. The results are currently being
evaluated and could then be used for national
or regional risk analyses.
As a national contact point, GMLZ also passes
on inquiries on satellite analyses for international humanitarian operations, for example of
the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW).
41
The destroyed power station in Cyprus after the explosion of an ammunition depot, developed by a micro UAV (© DLR).
Detailed map of refugee camps in Ethiopia near the border to Somalia,
date 31/08/2011 (© DLR).
When, at the end of July, the famine in East Africa worsened, THW was asked by the Foreign
Office to carry out an investigation and support
a mission in Ethiopia.
Use of unmanned aerial vehicles
As there were no or only rudimentary maps
available for the area of operation, the GMES
Emergency Management Service was contacted and asked to create general as well as
detailed maps of the refugee camps in the border area between Kenya, Ethiopia and Somalia.
These maps contained valuable information
for the planning of relief operations and were
also made available to other actively involved
relief organisations on site.
Satellite remote sensing is a valuable reconnaissance tool in the event of large-scale and
long-lasting damage situations. However, when
detailed information about a locally limited
damage area is required, other remote sensing
platforms like unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)
can provide better information. When an ammunition depot exploded in Cyprus on 11 July
2011, a power station in the immediate vicinity
was badly damaged. On request of the Cyprian
government, an EU expert team (EUCP) was
sent to the area to investigate. At the same time,
the GMES Emergency Management Service was
Research for an innovative situation management
Together with the European Space Agency, the European Commission started the programme
“Global Monitoring for Environment and Security” (GMES) more than ten years ago. The aim is
the operative use of satellite-based earth observation data in public administration for the sectors of environment and security. To achieve this, four projects were carried out to get an idea
about the demands of the users and develop relevant products. The EU project SAFER (Services
and Applications for Emergency Response) was the last project before the operative introduction
of a service for disaster and crisis management. As a representative of all players in German civil
protection, BBK has committed itself as an active partner in this project to make sure that the
products correspond to the user requirements in the best possible way. The external consultants
awarded the activities of the users in the project the best rating. Through SAFER, a comprehensive portfolio of products was developed which, to a large extent, is now available as an
operative service. Altogether, BBK activated the service 14 times. The SAFER project ended
on 31 December 2011.
42
BBK incident log: Flood situation in Germany
Friday, 14/01/2011, 08:00
For several days at the beginning of January 2011, members of the German Joint Information
and Situation Centre of the Federation and the Länder (GMLZ) have monitored details of the
national flood on the rivers Rhine, Elbe and Oder) on a big multi-vision screen. Due to thawing and consistent rain, many rivers in several Länder have exceeded the notification thresholds and warning levels. For a current and comprehensive picture of the situation, not only
information about the current and possible threshold values of the flood is important but also
precise information about the location of the incident. This “geo information” can be easily
obtained via a place name. However, for a situation evaluation, references and information
about the exact extent of the incident, for example “how much surface is currently flooded in
the place XY”, is also necessary. The knowledge about special institutions such as Critical Infrastructures in close proximity to the incident improves the risk assessment to cope with the
crisis.
Saturday, 15/01/2011, 19:35
In agreement with the responsible offices in Saxony-Anhalt, the triggering of the European
emergency mapping service is decided. A current survey, gained from satellite data, which
shows the surfaces of the Elbe catchment area, affected by the floods, is requested.
Sunday, 16/01/2011, 01:48
A member of the night shift receives confirmation that the request for an analysis of the flood
situation on the Saale and Weiße Elster was accepted. The data suppliers, who reposition the
satellites to the areas affected by the floods, were contacted.
Monday, 17/01/2011, 05:02
At the same time, the first satellite image maps are delivered to GMLZ and the responsible offices in Saxony-Anhalt. The evaluation was carried out by the Centre for Satellite-based Crisis
Information of the German Aerospace Centre in Oberpfaffenhofen. The satellite image maps
can be flexibly used: as a map to be printed out or as a digital data record which can be directly
installed in a digital situation and control information system, such as, for example, deNIS
IIplus. On request, so-called vector data are also made available, which only show the area affected by the flood. They can be combined with one’s own data so that it is possible to calculate
specific new situation information. This is particularly helpful for competent authorities and
advisors, such as, for example, the Federal institution for flood prevention of Saxony-Anhalt,
which, on the basis of these satellite picture based flood data, created their own situation maps
for their dike expert advisors.
43
Situation map during the cross-Länder crisis management exercise
LÜKEX 2011.
Flood map of the Elbe, derived from data gained by radar satellites,
detail for the area of Lenzen (© DLR).
triggered to get a current satellite picture of the
damaged power station. Very quickly it became
clear that the resolution of the satellite image was not sufficient to evaluate the statics of
individual component parts. Due to the heavy
destruction, the building was no longer accessible. The EUCP team then required high resolution air reconnaissance by unmanned aerial
vehicles (UAVs) via CECIS, the joint information
and communication system of the EU in the
area of disaster control. For this request, BBK
could provide the appropriate technology via the
German Aerospace Centre Institute for Communication and Navigation. Thanks to this small
remotely controlled aircraft, the experts could
take a look into the badly damaged building and
get a good idea about its structural condition.
Thanks to this device, the evaluation of the degree of destruction of the power station control
units was possible.
Geo Information (IMAGI). In this function, BBK
works together with other subject coordinators for other services (e. g. on land and marine
monitoring) to pool the user requirements and
to represent the German (subject) interests in
international committees. To achieve this, BBK
took part in several international workshops
and conferences and contributed to their organisation respectively.
National and international coordination
The EU project SAFER (Services and Applications for Emergency Response) was completed
on 31 December 2011. In a transition phase,
it will be transferred to an operational emergency mapping service under the auspices of the
European Commission. The ultimate aim is the
provision of satellite-based information, which
takes the requirements of the users into consideration. BBK was designated as subject coordinator for the European emergency mapping
service by the Inter-ministerial Committee for
Under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of
Transport, Construction and Urban Development, which took over the entire coordination
of GMES in Germany, the “GMES theme day”
took place in Munich on 24 and 25 November 2011. BBK organised a subject workshop
on emergency mapping services with about
35 participants from authorities, research and
industry. Besides the presentation of the current
portfolio and practical application examples, the
requirements for the best use of the service were
thoroughly discussed. Furthermore, ideas for future remote sensing applications in crisis management were collected. The results showed that
the offered information products are already
operationally used. For a more extended use,
however, they should be integrated into exercises
and experience reports be shared. All participants (above all, from the practice) regarded geo
information as essential for their subject work.
For immediate use in crisis management, many
participants wanted a kind of subject advisor,
who quickly implements the questions of the
crisis staff, for example, into relevant data and
calculates and visualises solutions.
44
BBK Vice-President, Mr Ralph Tiesler, at the strategy forum “remote
sensing”.
BBK could successfully contribute to another
national event, the strategy forum on remote
sensing at the German Aerospace Centre in
Oberpfaffenhofen. The Federal Minister of the
Interior, Dr Friedrich, and the chairman of the
board of the German Aerospace Centre, Prof Dr
Wörner, opened the event on 13 October 2011.
At the event, BBK Vice-President, Mr Ralph
Tiesler, underlined the operative importance
of remote sensing for crisis management in his
speech, for example in the event of large-scale
floods. In the subsequent workshop for users
from the area of civil protection, BBK and THW
each gave a stimulus presentation with application examples and ideas for the possible further
development.
Efficient situation management
Situation monitoring has always worked with
maps – today mainly in digital form. Due to
different requirements of operative and administrative crisis management, different software
systems were developed with more or less
interaction by the user. The basic goal is the
presentation of the events, the position of the
emergency forces and of current and potential
dangers. Last year, BBK carried out several experiments to test new geo information technologies for operative crisis management. A project
investigated the possibility of preparing freely
accessible data via automated analyses in such a
way that they are available as models to support
decision-making processes and to be used for
prognoses. This is principally possible. However,
the quality of the results depends largely on the
quality of the input data.
Another experiment aimed at testing an alternative interactive form of situation display during LÜKEX. Here, the freely accessible software
ArcExplorer was used, which can be easily used
and configured. Thanks to flexible technology and the intuitive way of presentation, the
framework control group of BBK could always
get an up-to-date “picture” of the situation.
Furthermore, information about events was
directly and interactively available. The insight
will be used for the subsequent further development of the use of geo information in civil
protection.
45
Five years and no old hat
The Analytical Task Force has a proven record of five years’ mission experience
Whether it is a fire incident in a chemical storage unit, suspicious white powder in a shopping area,
inexplicable eye irritations of passers-by or a partially closed airport due to chemical waste: since 2007
the Analytical Task Force (ATF) has operated in real-time. During this period, it has carried out several
hundred support operations; a trend that is increasing. In 2011 alone, the emergency staff of ATF was
requested about 180 times to support CBRN operations. Through special measurement technology and
professional expertise, they could help to cope with the situations quickly and effectively.
Representing the highest protection level in
CBRN protection, there are currently seven
ATF locations in Germany: at the professional
fi re brigades in Dortmund, Hamburg, Cologne,
Mannheim and Munich, at the state Criminal
Gradual approach of the Federal CBRN equipment.
Office in Berlin as well as at the Institute of the
fi re brigade of Saxony-Anhalt. These locations
can resort to particularly qualified staff and
extensive operational experience in managing
CBRN situations. The Federal Office of Civil
Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) supplements their equipment with state-of–the-art
mobile measurement technology for CBRN
incidents.
If necessary, all heads of operation from the
response authorities in Germany can request
the operational staff of ATF, who were specially trained for chemical fast analysis and expert
advice and have special equipment available –
even beyond Länder borders. Thanks to the
geographical distribution of the ATF locations
in Germany, it is ensured that ATF arrives on
the site of the operation no later than three
hours after the alert. In most cases, however,
the time needed falls well below this limit.
Definition of terms
Analytical Task Force: Tactical unit with special competences for the support of the local operation control in CBRN incidents by experts and measurement technology. ATF consists of
especially qualified operational staff under municipal or state sponsorship. At the moment, it is
stationed as a chemical-analytical task force at seven locations in Germany. The Federation complements ATF by providing particularly high-quality analytical equipment.
CBRN protection: All protection and defence measures, including planning aspects, with the
aim to ensure the best possible protection of the population and its livelihood, as well as of the
response staff against the impact of natural and anthropogenic CBRN threats. CBRN is the abbreviation of “chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear”.
46
Chronological sequence and milestones of the ATF project.
Locations of ATF with a deployment radius of about 200 kilometres.
Pilot project
The success of the project “Analytical Task Force”
results not least from the thorough preparation
before the implementation phase. The principles
for ATF in its current form were developed in
a pilot project by the division “Technical CBRN
protection” of BBK, together with the professional
fire brigades of Hamburg and Mannheim, the
state Criminal Office in Berlin and the Institute
of the fire brigade of Saxony-Anhalt. During the
three-and-a-half-year pilot phase, operational
tactics and the necessary (technical measurement)
equipment were defined for ATF.
Its practice suitability could be proved in exercises, but also during different major events. After
the agreement of the political committees, which
had evaluated the ATF concept as “technically
sound and coherent”, the pilot project phase led to
real-time operations of the initially four locations
of the pilot phase at the beginning of 2007. Even
then, it was clear that more ATF locations had to
be established to ensure an acceptable intervention time of ATF across Germany. The professional fire brigades in Dortmund, Cologne and
Munich were selected as the other three locations.
Besides great experience with the management
of CBRN situations, the geographical position of
these locations also played a role in the decisionmaking process: with its deployment radius of
about 200 km, the location in Munich covers the
southeast area of the Federal Republic very well.
Dortmund and Cologne ensure the quick availability of the special feature “chemical quick analysis” in the region of Germany where about 25 % of
the chemical industry are located. The integration
of the new locations in the ATF concept through
equipment and training was completed by 2009.
Thus, from 2010, the operability of all seven ATF
locations could be established.
Modern equipment
Good handiwork requires good working tools, and
the Analytical Task Force has comprehensive and
ultra-modern equipment. With the creation of the
seven locations, BBK provided ATF with vehicles
and measuring device worth altogether about ten
million euros: in addition to the emergency control vehicles ATF (ELW ATF) and the equipment
vehicles ATF (GW ATF), which were delivered in
the past, the fleet of the seven ATF locations was
completed by a CBRN reconnaissance vehicle
(ABC-ErkKW) in 2011. Thus, the ATF locations are
now able to quickly explore large areas for radioactivity or chemical contamination. For the quick
and reliable identification of chemical hazardous
substances in the field, ATF has the most modern
mobile analysis technology, such as, for example,
the infra-red-remote-sensing system SIGIS. This
device is able to detect and show clouds with
hazardous substances at a distance of up to five
kilometres. All ATF measurement devices can be
easily transported. Therefore, ATF is able to set up
a fully functional field laboratory on the operational site and to analyse samples directly on site.
In a close dialogue between BBK and the directors of the ATF locations, the practice suitability
of the equipment is regularly checked. Should
serious gaps appear during operations, they are
closed by appropriate measures, like the procurement of additional measurement technology. This way, for example, the new procurement
of RAMAN spectrometers was initiated in 2011.
This detection technique is very well-suited to
quickly identify solid substances in particular.
For the protection of the ATF operational staff,
but also to provide an initial assessment of the
situation during radiological incidents, the ATF
was equipped with transportable radiological
measurement technology. The devices were
handed over to the locations in 2012 and the
users received thorough training on how to use
the equipment.
Exercises are an appropriate tool to assess one’s
own competence and the state of the training. To
optimise its skills even further, BBK organises the
participation of ATF in national and international
exercises.
From 17 until 21 October 2011, a mission exercise
took place at the NBC and self-protection school
(ABC/SeS) of the Armed Forces in Sonthofen. The
response team of the Swiss Departements for
Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (EEVBS) also
took part in the exercise. During the exercise, the
three ATF teams and the team from Switzerland
were confronted with many different scenarios,
which allowed them to prove their skills. Here,
the focus was on different situations involving the
release of chemicals. They had been prepared by
ABC/SeS and offered challenging but manageable
tasks to the operational staff. The results of the
exercise were promising: EEVBS and ATF could
successfully master the scenarios which had been
prepared by ABC/SeS and gather many ideas. For
the German ATF and the Swiss EEVBS, the ATFEX 2011 was the first introduction to personnel,
equipment and tactics. As the two units have currently different focal points – ATF in the area of
dangerous goods and industrial chemicals, EEVBS
47
more in the sector of chemical warfare – many
experiences could be exchanged. This also makes
sense against the background of cross-border
relief, when in large-scale real incidents support
becomes necessary.
Shaping the future
Though ATF can be regarded as an established operational element of CBRN-protection in Germany,
the development is not yet completed. The adaptation of the equipment to the requirements of an
operation, as well as technical progress and the
continuous further training of the ATF operational
staff by training or exercises, will still be a task in
the future.
While ATF uses its competences in chemical or
radiological incidents, a comparable operational
element does not exist for biological incidents. The
creation of an ATF for biological incidents (ATF-B)
suggests itself as the next big task at BBK. As the
development and mission management of biological disasters differ greatly from chemical or radiological incidents, it will not necessarily be easy
to transfer the experiences with the existing ATF
to an ATF-B. To create the principles for all further planning on the establishment of an ATF-B,
BBK will start a pilot project in 2012. For the time
being, it is limited to two years. In the context of
this pilot project, BBK will develop a functional
concept, together with the Länder and operational
staff from disaster prevention and health authorities, which describes the technical equipment, organisation and operational tactics of an Analytical
Task Force for biological incidents in more detail.
The pilot project will include new developments in
the sector of biological detection technology and
results from current research projects. It is difficult to predict the outcome of this project. One
thing is certain, however: it will be exciting!
People in focus
“We invest in the future”
Support of the honorary office in civil protection
“We invest in the future” – what could be more appropriate than to present here a project on youth work
which was awarded the “Helping Hand” prize, sponsored by the Federal Ministry of the Interior: the
Bambini fire brigade of Fürth. The 2010 winner shows how this award can have a lasting effect, which
goes well beyond the day of the award ceremony. It is this sustainability in particular which BBK as the
office for the sponsored prize would like to obtain and join.
Fürth is a rural community in the district of
Bergstraße in Hesse. It currently has about
11,000 inhabitants. Besides farming estates,
there are several medium-sized enterprises and
large woodlands.
as local competitions and even a large-scale
exercise organised by Fürth youth fire brigades,
have existed for decades.
The start of Bambini fire brigade
The fire brigade of the municipality of Fürth
consists of eleven district fire brigades, which
are partly trained across the district. In the context of local cooperation, they merge into one.
Youth sections of the fire brigades, the nationwide training of young people (10–17 years of
age) and therefore increasing youth work, such
In 2007, Hesse’s legislator created a fi re and
disaster control law (HBKG) that allows for the
establishment of children’s groups (6–10 years
of age). Consequently, 2008 was dominated by
Fürth fire brigade‘s preparations for the founding
of a children’s fire brigade. Special requirements,
People in focus
49
Some statistical data:
Inhabitants of Fürth:
Active members of the voluntary fire brigade:
Members of the youth fire brigade:
Members of the Bambini fire brigade:
Honorary department:
about 11,000
284 (incl. 29 women) in 11 district fire brigades
117 in 9 youth fire brigades
75 for all districts
98
Contact person:
Voluntary fire brigade of the municipality of Fürth
Deputy municipality fire inspector Mr Frank Schepula
[email protected]
for example qualified support staff, a didactic
approach and finding a way to get the children’s
attention, had to be taken into consideration.
After a painting competition for grades 1 to 3, a
fire brigade morning at the school and an information day at the fire brigade house, the Fürth’s
Bambini fire brigade was founded at an official
ceremony in August 2009.
“Helping Hand 2010”
In September 2010, the prize jury nominated
the Bambini fi re brigade project for the “Helping Hand” award. The nomination alone was
the basis for further advertisement of the
project on the radio and in the press. Even a
promotional spot was produced and an association was founded.
Children of Bambini fire brigade aged six to ten in the
municipality of Fürth.
On 5 December 2010, the International Day of
the Honorary Office, the moment had arrived:
The Federal Minister of the Interior awarded
the project “Launch of the Bambini fire brigade
in Fürth” the “Helping Hand” 2010 bronze in
the category “Youth and young talents work for
the promotion and maintenance of the honorary office in civil protection”. The award was
very helpful for the organisation and, above all,
the Bambini fi re brigade project. The extensive
local media coverage went up another notch,
and the praise of citizens helped to boost the
image of the fi re brigade and the honorary
office. “The Federal Ministry of the Interior’s
award is exactly what the honorary office in
civil protection needs to attract attention”, was
one of the statements.
“Helping Hand” award ceremony with the former Minister of the
Interior, Dr Thomas de Maizère.
50
The “Helping Hand” prize.
After-effects and sustainability
After another prize “fire brigade of the month”
had been awarded by Hesse’s Interior Ministry, an official ceremony took place in Fürth in
February 2011 to present the two prizes again
and to celebrate the success with lots of participants – Bambinis, parents, youth and active
comrades.
The “Helping Hand” prize continues to be local
highlight. The award has helped considerably to
make the politically responsible parties and the
population aware of the Bambini fire brigade
project.
The important dialogue, the future-oriented development with regard to the demographic factor, became the focus of attention. Many people
became aware of the fact that existing problems
can only be solved by employing good ideas,
innovative concepts and, above all, substantial
involvement with youth and junior staff. Therefore, this project sets a good example for others
to ensure future nationwide civil protection
with voluntary fire brigades. It is precisely this
exemplary function which forms a central aim
of the award “Helping Hand”, sponsored by the
Federal Ministry of the Interior.
The Bambini fire brigade children learn about the technical equipment of
fire engine with water hoses.
People in focus
51
Vocational training at BBK
The Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) is training six young people in three
different professions at its offices in Bonn and Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler.
A diverse range of tasks and good working conditions make BBK attractive for school-leavers.
In relatively small organisational units, teamwork is needed, and the trainees are involved
in operational processes. National and interdisciplinary events and fact-fi nding missions also
contribute to the success of the training. Upon
completion of the training the graduates are offered a temporary job.
Week of trainees 2011 – a personal review
Already for the fourth time, during the autumn
break, from 31 October until 4 November 2011,
the “Week of trainees” took place.
On behalf of the training management, Ms
Vivien Kaliske and Ms Sabiene Kibke, two office
communication trainees, organised this event
in 2011 and brought together the different parts
of the programme.
Profile
Cook
- recognised occupation requiring formal training
- dual vocational education and training, in accordance with Berufsausbildungsgesetz (BBiG)
(law on vocational training)
- duration of training: 3 years
- places of learning are businesses and vocational school
This is where I’m training: kitchen of the Academy for Crisis
Management, Emergency Planning and Civil Protection (AKNZ)
My name is Chris Kaltofen (photo, top), and I’m in my 3rd year.
My name is Lena Göbgen (photo bottom), and I’m in my 1st year.
AKNZ in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler is the Federal central education and
training institution in civil protection. Every day, the kitchen provides the
catering for the Academy’s seminar participants. The practical training
takes place in the AKNZ’s kitchen and is complemented by external internships in restaurants und hotel kitchens. The theoretical part of the training
takes place at the vocational school in Ahrweiler.
The regular working hours and the good working climate are particularly
important to us.
52
After the welcoming address by Vice-President,
Mr Ralph Tiesler, Mr Chris Kaltofen (trained
as a cook) gave a brief presentation with tips
on healthy food. With food on our minds, we
then went to AKNZ to prepare and enjoy a meal
together.
On Wednesday we started off by watching
“The Wave”, a fi lm about a social experiment a
teacher conducts with his class to illustrate how
authoritarian social structures develop. A quiz
by Sabiene Kibke and Vivien Kaliske (trainees)
gave even more meaning to the fi lm.
After a short lunch break, we went to Cologne/
Bonn Airport to take a look behind the scenes
of the airport and its organisation during a
guided tour.
The following day we visited the DASA Working World Exhibition in Dortmund. During a
guided tour we learnt about the history of occupational safety. We also saw, amongst other
things, an old steam machine and a loom in
action. We also learnt about the modern working world and related problems, such as, for
example, office equipment and ergonomics in
the work place.
Profile
Office communication specialist
- places of learning are businesses, authorities and vocational school
This is where I’m training: The Federal Office of Civil
Protection and Disaster Assistance – administration
Our names are Sabiene Kibke (top photo) and Vivien Kaliske (bottom photo). This is our 2nd and 3rd year, respectively, of training
to become office communications specialists (FAB) at BBK. Office
communication specialists are employed in public administration
and deal with the processing of business transactions.
Our typical day is involves working with modern information
and communication media, such as e-mail, word processing
programmes, the “Mach1” bookkeeping system and the Internet.
Our tasks include the formulation and design of flawless business
letters, orders, reports, general correspondence and internal notes.
As a rule, we are given written, oral and legal guidelines. We are
trained in different sectors of administration (personnel, budget, organisation, internal services).
Vivien Kaliske: “I especially liked the processing of tasks in connection with BBK’s personnel matters.” We are also assigned to specialist departments, if they need assistance. Our activities depend
on the subject areas in question.
Sabiene Kibke: “I really enjoyed being involved with the organisation, planning and implementation of the 60th anniversary of the Protection Commission in Berlin”.
People in focus
53
The last day was the highlight of the week.
We visited the chocolate museum in Cologne.
During a workshop an employee showed us
how to make our own pralines and fi llings, as
well as how to decorate and package them.
At the end of the “Week of trainees”, we met
in the old part of Cologne to gather some feedback.
f. l. t. r.: Chris Kaltofen, Markus Kiwall, Sabrina Bogdanski (instructor),
Herbert Weidenbach (instructor), Vivien Kalinske, Sabiene Kibke, Lena
Göbgen, Christina Neuburg.
Profile
Specialist for media and information services in the field of library and information science
- places of learning are businesses, authorities and vocational school
This is where I’m training: The Information Centre of
Civil Protection (FIS)
My name is Christina Neuburg. This is my 3rd year of training to
become a specialist for media and information services in the field
of BBK’s FIS.
FIS is the most comprehensive information centre for civil defence
and protection in Germany. It consists of a library and a documentation section. With the services
it provides, it supports the tasks of civil defence and protection of the Federation, the Länder and
municipalities. Furthermore, FIS offers its services to all full-time and voluntary staff working in
civil protection, to support their work.
FIS manages about 57,000 media units, comprising 44,000 books, 200 magazines, 12,000 articles,
450 video films, 800 maps and 100 DVDs/CD-ROMs. More than 80 % of the documents can be researched online.
My tasks include, among others, the procurement of books, journals and other media. I keep a record on the computer and enter everything in the inventory. I also lend books and provide information about the FIS collections. I give advice to our library users and procure the desired media and
information from the FIS library stock or external sources.
54
Internships for students at BBK
The trainees at BBK are students from different disciplines who are required to do an internship as part of
their studies. The internship should address subjects related to their studies and have a practical relevance to
the everyday work of an authority or other institutions.
The duration of the internship varies from four
weeks to six months. The university and technical
college regulations for work experience placements, for example during geography studies,
state the aim, location and duration of the internship. BBK believes the placement of trainees has
a mutual benefit. For BBK, this includes the quick
and cost-efficient creation of important results
by using current scientific methods and findings.
The results (data, final reports) can be incorporated into the specialist work of BBK. Another
advantage is the strengthening of our networks
with universities and technical colleges and the
increasing recognition and positive presence of
BBK. In addition to the practical development
of their compulsory internship, the trainees also
have the opportunity learn about a competent authority and the work it does, as well as to evaluate
the practical relevance of their own studies. There
is definitely ample motivation for the students
to write a thesis that concerns civil protection.
Students choose to do their internship at BBK for
different reasons. Their experiences during the
internship vary depending on the different areas
of specialisation. As a competent authority with
interdisciplinary divisions, BBK offers the students good opportunities to combine their academic knowledge with practical experiences.
Motivation
“Because of my special interest in civil protection and also with respect to later job prospects,
I decided to do my internship at BBK. It is important for me to learn about issues such as risk/
threat/disaster are dealt with in a practical manner. I also find it very interesting to learn about
the working methods at federal level.”
“In search of an interesting topic, I came across BBK’s offer.”
“I chose to do my internship at BBK because I’m interested in conceptual work. The idea, that
already today I can get a taste of future prospects, impresses me. Thus, I can contribute to the
development of a new concept on public health protection. I’m particularly fascinated by the
development of new ideas in connection with the assessment and incorporation of old structures,
which have grown over the years, into new structures. This is an exciting challenge.”
“Besides doing an internship, the idea of working to learn about the structures and normal working procedures of an authority appealed to me.”
“My professor helped to arrange my first internship at BBK in 2010. Because of the good constellation of thematic offers and competent support, I’ve decided to do my second internship at BBK.
“As a geography student it was important for me last semester to do an internship that would
bring me closer to getting my ideal future job. I also wanted to do something where my motivation wouldn’t fizzle out after two weeks.”
People in focus
55
Specialist orientation
“I’m writing my Master’s thesis for the study programme ‘Rescue engineering’, at the technical
college in Cologne. I’m doing my internship with the Specialised Sciences Department, Section IV.5, at AKNZ. My Master’s thesis deals with the comparison and evaluation of different
patient distribution systems in the event of mass casualty incidents (MANV) as well as with a
survey of expert opinions on this topic. The results will be used to develop a performance description of these systems. In addition to the interesting and praxis-oriented work, I also value
BBK because of the wonderful support we receive. I very much appreciate my supervisor’s help
with regards to the content of my thesis and related organisational matters.”
“My major field of study is geography. The spatial relevance of disasters was one part of my
fi nal examination. For my diploma thesis, I analysed the vulnerability of selected areas of
Mumbai city to flooding caused by the monsoon. Thus, I had already thoroughly dealt with
this topic during my studies and wanted to contribute my knowledge to this issue. I’m working as a trainee on a research project about Critical Infrastructures. The focus of my survey is
on so-called ‘Criteria of the criticality’, which is part of the criticality analysis in the process
model of risk analysis. The main task is to collect the criteria by means of telephone interviews with German Federal associations and to then evaluate them. This saves us from having
to approach hundreds of enterprises, as the associations can offer a better overview of the sector. The results will be used for research on Critical Infrastructures. The empirical values will
serve future investigations.”
“My professor helped to arrange my fi rst internship at BBK in 2010. During the six-week internship, I worked on a project in which data from the INKAR data bank was spatially referenced for analysis by GIS programmes (GIS = GeoInformationsSystem). I started my second
internship in October 2011 with the aim of starting to work on my Bachelor’s thesis.”
“During my time with Section II, Emergency Preparedness and Critical Infrastructures, I
worked on a topic concerned with risk communication between media and disaster management authorities. To this end, I developed GIS-based maps, which visualise the global frequency of natural disasters in order to answer the question of whether there has really been
an increase in the number of natural disasters in the last few decades, as has been rather
sensationally suggested by the mass media. Often, the media coverage about natural disasters
on site and in the studio turns out to be problematic and can be an obstacle to volunteers and
authorities. Therefore, sensible communication and cooperation respectively between the two
players must be discussed with the aim to inform the population about risks and to help people to perceive risks.”
“I’m doing my internship with Section III.4 – Disaster medicine, medical self-help. I mainly
deal with questions concerning the Medical Task Force (MTF). Two topics have had a particular influence on my work: the need to improve the Internet presence of BBK’s Internet presence with regards to the Medical Task Force should be strengthened. For this, I developed a
proposal which can be understood by non-professionals but is still relevant for professional
requirements. Preparing data and participating in the analysis of an opinion poll concerning
the level of training of the MTF patients’ transport group also falls under my responsibilities.”
56
Experiences
“Being able to ask content and organisation-related questions and receive helpful, comprehensive answers is crucial for writing my thesis. In addition to the help I receive with my work,
BBK has repeatedly given me the opportunity to take part in different seminars, both at BBK
and externally. Not only has knowledge has expanded considerably, I have also established contacts with people from all areas of threat response.”
“I have been made responsible for my own data collection. I am very proud about this because
it means that I’m entitled to independently manage a subproject, supervised by a contact
person within the house. The colleagues at BBK treat me as their equal. In a positive working
atmosphere there are many discussions, and the trainees’ opinions are not looked down upon
by the other employees. Above all, BBK profits from our scientific knowledge, as we come, so to
speak, ‘fresh from uni’. Sadly, I’m missing the university working methods a bit which are, in
my opinion, more efficient. On the other hand, I’m given more responsibility here.”
“With the work I did for my project at BBK, not only did I gain valuable insight into the work
of geographers and BBK, I was also able to considerably expand my competence in handling
important programmes. What I fi nd particularly satisfying about this work, though, is that you
have the feeling that you are contributing to something great and important – civil protection
in Germany.”
“After less than three months, I can say that it was really worth it, and not only because of the
very good working climate and helpful colleagues. The work I did for my project and beyond
make a valuable contribution to the focus of my studies. This has made it clear to me that
BBK is the right place for me. When I started my internship at the beginning of October, I
wasn’t quite sure what to expect and wondered what topic I would be given and how it would
be working for a federal authority. Although the shift from being a student to getting used to
doing office work for an authority was a bit difficult at fi rst, I regard my time here as a valuable
experience.”
Aims and prospects for the future
“Now that I’ve fi nished my internship, I would like to continue to work in the field of civil protection. My goal now is to fi nd a job in this sphere.”
“Due to the successful cooperation I decided to continue here. I started my second internship
in October 2011, and I will start writing my Bachelor’s thesis based on the work I am doing
here. The good working conditions, but also the professional and competent support provided
by BBK motivated me to make this decision.”
“In addition to the development work for the Medical Task Force, Department III.4 is also
responsible for civil protection helicopters (ZSH). Here, I could get a brief glimpse, for example with a comparison of the decisions concerning the assignment of the ZSH or the annual
conference visit on the quality improvement of the ZSH. With the development of the Medical
Task Force, a concept has been created which is to be implemented across Germany. It means a
lot to me to be involved in this.”
People in focus
57
Paths to the future
Future
Career ideas
Development
Coming back
2nd internship
Active participation
Taking responsibility
Results for research
Concepts
FIS
Competence
Accomplishing
Eye level
Professional support
…
Studies and …???
Part of something significant
Linking new and old
Working climate
Part of something great
Communication
…
Cooperation
Valuable
Office life
General information
We invest in the future:
Review and prospects in PR work
Our message: We are there (for you)!
In recent years, the Federal Office of Civil
Protection and Disaster Assistance has gradually increased it public awareness: At fairs and
events we directly inform those who are fully
employed in civil protection or work in this
field on a voluntary basis about new developments. Staff in Länder and communities, fi re
brigades, relief organisations and the Federal
Agency for Technical Relief can use the BBK
publications for their daily work. The number
of orders shows that this service is very well
received. During individual talks, political and
social decision-makers are informed about the
services of BBK and current developments. And
not least, we offer the citizens a wealth of information: without spreading fear, we talk about
possible risks and how everyone can indepen-
dently make provisions and be self-sufficient in
an emergency case. Enterprises and universities
are not only included in the specialist work –
thanks to the publications, they can also profit
from the results. It goes without saying that we
use the media as multipliers to get our messages
across.
In 2011, with 32 press releases, BBK generated
awareness about the main areas of its activities.
The website, which was given a complete makeover in terms of content and design, addressed
topics with an additional further 82 messages.
A total of 16 individual aspects were looked at
in depth under the category “Top Topics”. The
staff represented BBK at 13 fairs, congresses and
events with an information stand.
General information
59
2,000
1,873
200,000
161,432
1,500
150,000
149,117
146,985 147,051
144,698
133,807
124,306
1,145
117,021
1,081
1,000
100,000
93,362
83,474
75,961 76,484
591
500
505
515
580
50,000
0
0
Year 2005 Year 2006 Year 2007
Year 2008 Year 2009 Year 2010 Year 2011
Jan
Feb March Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
The number of wire reports between 2005 and 2011.
Number of times the BBK website was viewed in 2011.
New offers for citizens
world which was especially developed for 7- to
12-year-olds.
There is nothing new about the fact that the
citizens who live in Germany have many different everyday cultures and values. Therefore,
“the” one possibility to inform them does not
exist. With targeted services addressed to selected groups within the population as a whole,
we want to do justice to our aim of “information
of the population”. On the one hand, we completely revised the existing Internet presence of
BBK with a specific target group in mind. On the
other hand, in 2011 we developed a special Internet service for children and young people, which
effectively provides important information
about the correct behaviour to be adopted when
responding to emergency situations, with topics including fire protection, first aid, emergency
call and self-help. At the heart of this service is
the adventure game with Max and Flocke in a
About 60 pupils visited the BBK event, where the Federal Office’s
website for children was presented.
www.max-und-flocke-helferland.de
On 15 September 2011, together with 60 enthusiastic pupils from Berlin, the Federal Minister
of the Interior, Dr Hans-Peter Friedrich, gave the
go-ahead for the new children’s website max-undflocke-helferland.de. The Internet site is targeted
at children between 7 and 12 years of age.
The Federal Minister of the Interior, Dr HansPeter Friedrich explained: “Children in particular
who are just starting school are discovering their
independence and are very inquisitive. They ask
a lot of questions and want to be taken seriously. We take them very seriously. We want to
make them aware of potential danger situations
The Federal Minister of the Interior, Dr Hans-Peter Friedrich, gave the
go-ahead for www.max-und-flocke-helferland.de.
60
A search machine just for children
BIK
On 29 November 2007, the Federal Chancellor, Ms Angela Merkel, started a special
project for children. The website, www.
fragFINN.de, is a safe place on the Internet
for children to surf.
BIK stands for “barrier-free information and
communication”. BBK wants to make Internet and Intranet services more easily available to provide better job opportunities for
handicapped people.
This means that you can browse the Internet and learn how to use it, without being exposed to risks. All sites are regularly
checked by adults. Via a search engine, you
can fi nd news just for you, special information sites or secure chat rooms.
The BIK project is sponsored by the Federal
Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. BIK
has existed since 2002. It is currently in the
third project phase, where the implementation of accessibility in enterprises and administrations is the main focus.
BITV
in their daily life – at home, at school and on
the move – and then for to learn how to behave
appropriately. They can also learn how to help
others. The children can be proud of what they
know, because they can help. When, at the age of
eight or ten years, they learn how smoke spreads,
what a gathering point is and how to initiate the
emergency call 112, it is something they will have
learnt for life. It is precisely this lasting effect that
we will achieve, when we educate children about
this issue.”
Parents and teachers are also welcome. Different worksheets with components concerning the
topic of civil protection have been prepared for
them. The following worksheets are available:
Fired with enthusiasm – component on fire
protection training –
Flash of brilliance – component on the correct
behaviour in the event of thunderstorms – and
Helpful – component on the correct behaviour
in an emergency case.
The offer for adults as well as children and
young people is constantly being improved.
“FragFINN”, an initiative which protects children
from inappropriate content and provides a secure place for them to surf the Web, has already
awarded the BKK project its seal of quality.
BITV is barrier-free information technology
regulation.
Everyone can help!
On Saturday, 24 September 2011, the National
Garden Show (BUGA) in Koblenz was dedicated
to female and male rescue staff. Fire brigades,
rescue services, the Federal Agency for Technical Relief, Police and customs presented their
wide range of services to the visitors. BBK had
its stand on Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer. After the
children’s website www.max-und-flocke-helferland.de went live, Max and Flocke were at the
centre of attention. In the blue and white tent
next to the water gauge house, children and
At the National Garden Show in Koblenz, children and young-at-heart
adults were able to learnabout how best to protect themselves and others in emergency situations.
General information
61
young-at-heart adults could get information
about what they can do for their protection and
how to help others. There was a Max and Flocke
quiz, and those who managed to answer 15
questions correctly received a Max and Flocke
drinking bottle. Jelly bears, timetables and key
rings were handed out, and all the youngsters
were given a BBK balloon.
www.bbk.bund.de now with target group access,
media centre and glossary
In May 2011, we adapted the Internet site under
the original address www.bbk.bund.de to the
grown demands of Internet users. A direct service for citizens, volunteers, Länder and municipalities, scientists and enterprises is new on the
homepage. These users can now directly access
the information they are looking for. The glossary, which is also a new feature of the website,
defines and explains technical terms relating
to civil protection. The new segment “Current
Events and Press” provides an improved service
for media representatives. The media centre contains printable images and also films, which can
be downloaded.
In connection with the “Test of the month” in
September 2011, the BIK project assessed the
Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster
Assistance website www.bbk.bund.de in accordance with BITV criteria. It scored 91.5 out of 100
points and was thus rated “easily accessible”.
The BBK President presents the new service D 115.
The media as an intermediary between us and
the citizens
The media is indispensable as an intermediary
and disseminator of civil protection issues and
the big heterogeneous group of citizens. It is
therefore all the more pleasing that the media is
increasingly using BBK as a source of information. In 2011, almost 400 inquiries by the media
referred to various topics, from “C” for civil
protection helicopters, climate change and its
impact on civil protection to the cross-Länder
crisis management exercise LÜKEX, “F” for the
Federal equipment concept, and “P” for power
cuts, prevention and self-help and the protection
of cultural assets.
We are now a part of it:
prevention and self-help via D 115
Since 1 September 2011, the Federal Office of
Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance has also
been affiliated with the public authority contact
number 115. In future citizens with any questions concerning the “prevention and self-help”,
can, in addition to calling BBK, also dial 115.
With 115, BBK created an additional service to
distribute information about prevention and
self-help among the population.
Strategic Crisis Management-Exercise
“LÜKEX 2011”: IT security under scrutiny
Because of its increasing importance to the
state and society, IT security was chosen as the
topic of the fi fth exercise of the exercise series
LÜKEX. The implementation of the exercise
took place across Germany on 30 November
and 1 December 2011 at the real locations of
the participating offices; about 2,500 people
took part in the exercise. With the implementation of the exercise, the almost two-year
exercise cycle of “LÜKEX 11” reached its peak.
62
Even before the actual start of the exercise,
the media interest was considerable (about 45
inquiries). The exercise implementation was
supported with an intensive media programme
provided by the Federation and the Länder. At
the 5th exercise, BBK had a lot to offer the media: press conference, press tour, BBK homepage with a series of pictures, FAQ catalogue.
Almost 40 media representatives took part in
the press conference and the subsequent press
tour at the Academy’s Central Exercise Control. The press representatives included four
television teams, several radio stations and a
large number of print media, including specialised media.
In addition to numerous wire reports, to
date, 135 articles in print media, 13 television
reports and a good number of radio contributions have been recorded. In general, the
media expresses the pressing need to deal with
the topic of “IT security” – more than ever
before before – and to consider possible consequences. Strategic crisis management exercises,
which require comprehensive cooperation and
coordination, are for the most part understood
as being a sensible supplement and assessment
of action planning.
“Dog pro” Mr Martin Rütter before his own experiment.
Man’s best friend, the dog, saves human lives –
disaster scenario for television
A rescue dog is a specially trained dog. Relief
organisations such as the Workers’ Samaritan
Federation, the German Red Cross (DRK), Johanniter Unfallhilfe, Malteser Hilfsdienst (MHD),
the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) as
well as fire brigades, rescue organisations such as
the German Rescue Dog Association (DRV) and
private units work with rescue dogs.
To ensure successful cooperation in an emergency, the dog handler and dog train regularly.
For the training of the rescue dogs, BBK’s own
Academy for Crisis Management, Emergency
Planning and Civil Protection (AKNZ) has a socalled “debris street”: the training ground of the
street has various partially collapsed buildings.
In September, MHD and THW volunteers from
Bad Honnef took part in a RTL television production on the debris track, together with the
dog squadron of the German Red Cross’ dog
squadron in Cologne for the “dog whisperer” Mr
Martin Rütter’s show. The script was based on a
situation after a serious earthquake, with collapsed buildings and trapped people. There was
no power supply and the area was blocked off.
Against this dramatic scenario, survivors had
to be found among the debris. The German Red
Cross dog squadron searched for survivors. The
subsequent salvage was carried out by THW and
first aid treatment was administered by the Maltese services. Mr Martin Rütter was impressed
and delighted by the competence, technical
possibilities and smooth cooperation displayed
by all those involved. At the end, Martin Rütter
took part in an experiment of his own: he spent
almost ten nerve-wracking minutes in a vaulted
cellar until the rescue dogs found him.
For reference:
The publications of the year 2011
A large selection of different publications contributes to further develop BBK as a supporting
pillar of modern civil protection and to increase
the population’s awareness of threats. The focus
of BBK’s papers for the public is on informing
General information
63
the citizens, for example about prevention and
self-help. Furthermore, the publications provide
civil protection experts with advice and support
for their work.
The following is a list of some of the brochures
and flyers that were published by BBK in 2011.
“Psychosoziale Notfallversorgung: Qualitätsstandards und Leitlinien Teil I
und II” (Praxis im Bevölkerungsschutz, Band 7)
This manual provides a
summary of the PSNV
quality assurance results,
which were developed during a three-year work and coordination process
under the moderation of BBK by 120 delegates
from 45 organisations and institutions and
adopted at so-called consensusconferences in
2008, 2009 and 2010.
Psychosoziale Notfallversorgung:
Qualitätsstandards und Leitlinien
Teil I und II
Band 7
“Klimawandel – Herausforderung für den Bevölkerungsschutz” (Praxis im
Bevölkerungsschutz, Band 5)
Together with partners of
the working group “Climate
change and adaptation in
disaster management”, BBK
listed the most important
aspects in this new handbook. They range from
suggested concrete measures on civil protection
to important points of contact. The publication
includes keywords and connections concerning
climate change in Germany.
Klimawandel – Herausforderung
für den Bevölkerungsschutz
Band 5
“BBK-Glossar – Ausgewählte zentrale Begriffe
des Bevölkerungsschutzes”
(Praxis im Bevölkerungsschutz, Band 8)
Since October 2011, the
BBKglossary of selected civil protection terms has also
been available as a print
version. It was created by consulting relevant
dictionaries and general regulations in the field
of civil protection. It was thoroughly reviewed
internally by BBK, and also by the Federation
and the Länder.
B B K -G los s ar
Aus gewählte zentrale B egriffe
des B evölkerungs s c hutzes
B a nd 8
P ra xis im B evölk erungs s c hutz
Psychosoziales Krisenmanagement
in CBRN-Lagen
1
Band 6
“Psychosoziales Krisenmanagement in CBRN-Lagen”
(Praxis im Bevölkerungsschutz, Band 6, dt./engl.)
The bilingual volume offers
special training concepts
with recommended psychosocial actions for operative
staff and managers.
Schutz und Hilfe für die Bevölkerung
Protection and Aid for the Population
Wir über uns
About us
Die Kompetenz im Bevölkerungsschutz
The Competence Centre for Civil Protection
“Schutz und Hilfe für die
Bevölkerung – Wir über
uns” (erweiterte und überarbeitete Neuauflage)
For six years, the revised
and extended GermanEnglish brochure has been
one of the basic resources
about BBK’s aims and responsibilities.
64
Broschüre “Schutz von
Kulturgut bei bewaffneten
Konflikten” (erweiterte und
überarbeitete 7. Auflage)
A new and important
component is the “law on
the second protocol of 26
March 1999 on the Hague
Convention of 14 May 1954
for the protection of cultural assets in the event
of armed confl icts of 7 July 2009”.
8
WISSENSCHAFTS
FORUM
English
Method of Risk Analysis
for Civil Protection
“Method of Risk Analysis
for Civil Protection” (Reihe
WISSENSCHAFTSFORUM
Band 8/englisch)
In 2011 the English translation of “Method of Risk
Analysis for Civil Protection” was published as a
book. The French translation of Volume 8 (French)
can be downloaded.
“Verhalten bei besonderen
Gefahrenlagen”
(Faltblatt
Verhalten bei besonderen
Gefahrenlagen
aus der Reihe “Vorsorge
und Selbsthilfe”)
Germany has a sophisticated relief system of rescue
services and disaster management institutions. However, complete protection of
the population by the state cannot be provided.
The citizens must be able to help themselves and
others in the event of particular threat situations.
Vorsorge und Selbsthilfe
EEmpfehlung
mpfehlung zzur
ur SSicherheit
icherheit
vvon
on G
ebäuden
Gebäuden
Leistungspotenziale im Bevölkerungsschutz
Zivil-Militärische
ZivilZ
ivi Militä
ivil
ivilMili rische
ische
sche
che
h
Zusammenarbeit
(ZMZ)
Z
Zusamm
Zu
usammenarbe
u
enarbeit
it (ZM
Z)
im Bevölkeru
Bevölkerungsschutz
Bev
ölkerungssch
ölkeru
ngsschutz
ngssch
utz
Leistungspotenziale im Bevölkerungsschutz
“Empfehlung zur Sicherheit
von Gebäuden” (Faltblatt aus
der Reihe “Leistungspotenziale im Bevölkerungsschutz”)
Through the regular control of
existing technical safety standards of buildings, possible security loopholes and deficiencies
can be discovered. However, it
is also important to consider
new threats or threats which
have this far been neglected.
“Zivil-Militärische Zusammenarbeit” (Faltblatt aus der
Reihe “Leistungspotenziale
im Bevölkerungsschutz”)
The term civil-military cooperation describes the interaction between governmental or
non-governmental civil organisations and those from military
defence in the area of national
defence, threat prevention (civil
protection) or the military’s
foreign missions.
General
65
News from administration
Personnel
The Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance Due to budget legislation, 2011
was no exception: thus, the Federal Office of
Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance was
again affected by the Federation’s job cuts. Compared to 2010, the number of posts decreased by
4.8 % to 276.7 posts and jobs.
The BBK budget
In 2011, the Federal Office of Civil Protection
and Disaster Assistance budget could be increased again. Compared to €102.8 million in the
financial year of 2010, public funds increased to
€105 million. In 2011, about 50 % of the funds
were spent on the implementation of the new
equipment concept, including the accommodation and maintenance of federal vehicles on site
as well as the training of volunteers.
Further key aspects were the Academy for Crisis
Management, Emergency Planning and Civil
Protection as well as research.
Funds to the value of €105 million, available in
the financial year of 2011, went to:
Personnel costs €14.0 million (main group 04)
Material costs €41.0 million (main group 05)
Assignments €6.8 million (main group 06)
Building measures €0.8 million (main group 07)
Investments €42.0 million (main group 08)
(values rounded off)
The following graph shows the development of
the budget per cost area:
Main groups in T€
50,000
45,000
40,000
35,000
30,000
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
50,000
0
2009
2010
Hg. 4
Hg. 5
Hg. 6
2011
Hg. 7
Hg. 8
Allgemeines
Imprint
We invest in the future
Annual Report of the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK) 2011
© Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance, Provinzialstraße 93, 53127 Bonn
German text:
BBK
Translation:
Dr Susanne Garside
Design, layout, typesetting:
MEDIA CONSULTA Deutschland GmbH, Berlin Picture credits:
Titelbild: Getty Images, Bildzusammenstellung MEDIA CONSULTA Deutschland GmbH;
Seite 6 BMI/Hans-Joachim M. Rickel; Seite 12 v. u. re./s. media-pixelio, BBK, Dieter Schütz-pixelio,
Daniel Rennen-pixelio; Seite 18 Jetti Kuhlemann-pixelio; Seite 22 unten re. Florian Carten-pixelio;
Seite 25 oben Heike Bauer; Seite 26 re. DRK-Jugend; Seite 28 Erich Kasten-pixelio; Seite 34 oben dpa;
Seite 45 ATF-Grafik Nadine V. Schwarz; Seiten 48 und 49 Frank Schepula Fw Fürth, Helfende Hand
Preisverleihung 2010 DFV.
Copyright:
The copyright for texts and pictures is with the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster
Assistance, unless otherwise stated.
Print:
Silber Druck oHG, Niestetal
Date/print run:
September 2012/500
The Annual Report of the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance is available
free of charge.
67
68
www.bbk.bund.de

We invest in the future - Bundesamt für Bevölkerungsschutz und

Transcription

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