The President of the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW), Sabine Lackner, has reported a significant increase in deployments linked to climate change, anticipating a continued rise in such operations.
In remarks to Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, Lackner stated that the intensity of THW interventions has clearly grown, both in terms of frequency and complexity. The agency is observing a rise in extreme weather events demonstrably connected to climate change, particularly an increase in heavy rainfall events that necessitate larger-scale responses. She predicts this trend will continue, a projection supported by the agency’s current deployment figures.
The THW is adapting to these changing circumstances, Lackner explained. This also applies to its role in addressing larger-scale wildfires. While fire suppression remains the domain of local fire departments, the THW is increasingly called upon to provide logistical support such as transporting water over long distances, particularly in situations where potential unexploded ordnance prevents firefighters from approaching closely. The agency is proactively adjusting its operational tactics to accommodate these changing requirements.
Earlier in 2024, the THW was initially deployed to address flooding in North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt. This was followed by further flood responses in Saarland, Rhineland-Palatinate and southern Germany in May.
