On the Front Foot: Rapidly Mobilizing New Shelters Across Germany
Civil Defense Leader to Swiftly Establish New Safe Areas for Public Safety - Urgent Call for Rapid Shelter Construction Initiated by Public Safety Leader
Ralph Tiesler, head of Civil Protection, is spearheading a bold initiative to create close to a million immediate shelter spots. By summer, a new shelter concept will be unveiled, born out of the evolving security landscape in Europe in the face of Russia's aggressive actions against Ukraine.
For too long, the notion that war was an unlikely event for Germany to prepare for had been widely accepted. "The risk of a major war in Europe is keeping us awake," Tiesler candidly told the SZ.
These temporary shelters, equipped to accommodate people during emergencies, will provide essentials such as food, toilets, and bedding. The emphasis is on rapid dissemination of shelter locations through apps and signs.
The undertakings of Civil Protection are nothing short of monumental and costly, Tiesler cautioned. At least 10 billion euros will be required in the coming four years, with the actual demand reaching up to 30 billion euros over the next decade.
As of now, 579 facilities throughout the nation are officially recognized as shelters, catering to approximately 478,000 individuals. However, these facilities are in dire need of maintenance, as they've been neglected for decades.
Beyond existing shelters, further expandable capacities lurk in subway networks and cellars, offering minimal protection against war-induced factors like blast waves, debris, and shrapnel. Yet, some of these facilities are in private ownership, leaving their future state uncertain.
Regarding financial aid for the construction or expansion of shelters, as requested by states and municipalities, the ministry spokesman remained tight-lipped, amidst ongoing budget negotiations.
Keywords
- Shelter
- Civil Protection
- Germany
- Ralph Tiesler
- SZ
- Europe
- Federal Agency
Enrichment Insights
- The new shelter concept involves reviving older shelters and building new ones, with the goal of providing shelter for up to a million people.
- The project is expected to cost at least €10 billion over four years and up to €30 billion over a decade. A portion of the €500 billion emergency infrastructure fund approved by the Bundestag in March will be allocated.
- In addition to creating new shelters, existing facilities will be modernized, with upgrades to infrastructure and information systems like apps and warning systems planned. Cybersecurity enhancements for warning apps are also on the agenda.
- In light of escalating conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine war, the emphasis on Germany's employment policy is not just about creating jobs, but also ensuring the swift implementation of an employment policy for the Civil Protection department to mobilize resources and manpower for the construction of new shelters and the refurbishment of existing ones.
- As part of the broader political landscape, the ensuing war-and-conflicts discourse engaged in by policymakers and media outlets, such as SZ, underscores the need for Germany to prioritize general news items like civil preparation for emergencies, such as the development of efficient employment policies to maximize the speed and efficiency of shelter construction projects.
