Enhanced Fire Brigade Funding Proposed by Ministry of Interior
In the face of increasing climate change impacts, the fire department in Baden-Württemberg is adapting to meet the growing demands of climate-related emergencies.
Minister President Winfried Kretschmann (Greens) expressed his gratitude and respect towards the fire department, considering it a crucial pillar of security in the country. He suggested that due to climate change, the fire department will be needed more frequently in the future.
Interior Minister Thomas Strobl announced that 98 million euros from the fire protection tax will be distributed, with a record amount available. He reaffirmed that the funds will not only be given, but also used to facilitate procurement and reduce bureaucracy.
The fire department in Baden-Württemberg is larger than it has ever been before, with 115,605 deployment forces. Approximately 64,000 of these deployments were due to unusually high rainfall, leading to floods and storms. In 2024, there were a total of 135,202 deployments by the fire department.
The increased frequency and intensity of fires, floods, and heatwaves have created significant operational challenges for emergency services. Key challenges include increased wildfire risk and frequency, longer operational deployments, resource and capacity limitations, the need for specialized training and equipment, and coordination with other agencies.
Tools like SHARC (Sustainable Holistic Assessment for Regions and Communities) assist municipalities in holistic spatial planning aimed at climate change adaptation, improving readiness and resilience. The future framework conditions will likely involve increased emphasis on climate resilience planning for infrastructure and emergency preparedness, potential incorporation of regional and EU-level funding to support adaptation measures and emergency services enhancement, and development of volunteer networks and community engagement to supplement professional responders in large-scale climate events.
For further information, contact Jennifer Reich at 0711 66601-183 or j.reich@our website.
[1] Source: Climate Change and Fire Departments: Adapting to the New Normal (2025)
Keywords: Civil Protection, District Council, Fire Department Association, demanding more resources, Professional Fire Department Stuttgart, Esslingen, deployment practices.
