untitled design

Germany: Focus on deadly flood warning system

The political review of the operation of the citizens’ warning system in Germany started while the rescue and restoration works of the damages from catastrophic floods, which caused more than 150 deaths, continue, with the federal government believing the states made mistakes.

Following the criticism leveled at the Christian Socialist Party (CSU), Federal Home Secretary Horst Zeehofer, the representative of the Christian Democrats and Christian Socialists (CDU / CSU) parliamentary group in the federal parliament (Bundestag) on ​​domestic policy Matthias Mittelberg defended the management of the crisis by the Federal Civil Protection Service (BBK), as broadcast by ΑΠΕ ΜΠΕ, citing dpa.

“Now we have to analyze the events of the catastrophic flood in detail to see if and where the (planned) procedures have not worked. This is especially true for the federal states, because they are mainly responsibly for disaster protection. “I strongly oppose the premature imputation of responsibilities and the premature formulation of reform proposals,” he said in an interview with the Neue Osnabruecker Zeitung (NOZ).

Previously, criticism had intensified because of their warnings meteorologists reached the inhabitants of the affected areas very late. Zeehofer, however, denied this yesterday: “I do not rule out that we need to improve one or the other, but the warning messages worked without any technical problems,” he said.

Also, the Christian Democrat (CDU) head of the BBK service Armin Schuster said that “our warnings, the entire warning infrastructure, fully operated».

And the president of the Federal Union of the Armed Forces, Andre Wistner, pointed out that the discussion on the review of the warning system should not start too early.

“The main thing now is to do what we can for to help “We are working hard to see if the federation, the states and local authorities can improve civil protection,” he told the Heilbronner Voice.

In Germany, the L κραnder are responsible for disaster protection. The federal government has not direct responsibilities on it. In the event of natural disasters and particularly serious accidents, however, the L μπορούνnder may, for example, seek the assistance of the Federal Police.

The President of the German Association of Municipalities and Communities Burkhard Jung asked in today’s statements in the newspapers of the Funke Journalist Group “crystal analysis after the acute emergency for what one can learn from the meteorological catastrophe for the future, e.g. for communication in case of extreme weather conditions. “For example, the collapse of fixed and mobile networks has made communication more difficult.”

The German Firefighters’ Association also called for a “review and reassessment” of the post-disaster relief operation. “It also needs to be clarified whether warning systems need to be adapted – for example with proportionally controlled sirens complementary to digital media. At the moment, however, it is too early for claims or even liability. “We are currently in the phase of providing emergency assistance on the ground,” said the president of the Union. Karl-Heinz Bange in today’s issue of the Augsburger Allgemeine.

Meanwhile, the deputy representative of the Christian Democrats and Christian Socialists (CDU / CSU) parliamentary group in the federal parliament Torsten Fry called for a national disaster control law. “Not to undermine federalism – but to be able to act when the damage goes beyond the borders of the states,” he told Handelsblatt.

Fry also suggested that emergency aid be provided to flood victims in experience of the pandemic. “The crucial thing for emergency aid is to arrive immediately. Emergency aid for the coronavirus in the spring of 2020 could be a model, thanks to which the victims can be helped without bureaucracy. “Business and agriculture should also be included in this assistance,” he said.

Merkel announced control of the warning system

From Bad Münsteriefel, which was hit hard by the severe weather, Angela Merkel He promised that “everything will be done” in order for the money of the emergency financial aid to the victims of the disaster to reach the beneficiaries soon and without bureaucracy.

“On the contrary, rebuilding damaged infrastructure, such as railways and highways, will take more time,” he said.a lot of patience»By the inhabitants of the area.

The Chancellor, accompanied by the Prime Minister of the state and candidate of the Christian Union (CDU / CSU) for the Chancellery, ‘Armin Lassett, met with local actors, citizens and members of rescue teams, while he also visited a collection center for basic necessities.

Referring to the issue of early warning of extreme weather events, which is still prevalent in the political controversy, Angela Merkel stressed that special sirens could play a greater role in disaster control in the future. “Maybe a good old siren will be more useful than you thought,” he said, stressing that the whole mechanism would be thoroughly checked to see what worked and what did not. In this discussion, however, we must not forget that “it was unprecedented rainfall,” she said.

Source Link

You may also like

Get the latest

Stay Informed: Get the Latest Updates and Insights

 

Most popular