Disaster protection in the Traunstein district: This is how we are prepared for emergencies!

Disaster protection in the Traunstein district: This is how we are prepared for emergencies!

A very informative technical discussion about “Disaster protection in the Traunstein district” took place in Traunstein, organized by the district council group Alliance 90/The Greens. At this event, Sebastian Freudling, the spokesman for public relations at THW Traunstein, was able to provide interesting insights. He explained that civil protection is particularly active in extreme weather events such as torrents and storms. This finding is particularly relevant given the more frequent extreme weather events that have been recorded in recent years, as can be found on the pages of wwa-ts.bayern.de.

A central topic was the role of the disaster control management group (FüGK), which sits in the district office and is responsible for coordinating the measures and communicating between the various authorities and emergency services. Florian Appelt from the district office presented the diverse tasks of this group, which works closely with the administration, the fire departments and aid organizations in order to be well prepared in an emergency.

The importance of collaboration

The cooperation of all organizations involved was clearly highlighted. The Bavarian Red Cross (BRK), for example, brings 4,000 volunteers who are central to medical care and logistics. The DLRG and the water rescue service are also available to provide support during operations on bodies of water and during evacuations. The mountain rescue service is responsible for alpine operations, while the Maltese relief service ensures emergency accommodation and care for evacuees.

The Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) also plays a crucial role, particularly with its expertise and the use of heavy equipment. In 2024, THW's operations totaled an impressive 28,167 hours. An example of successful cooperation in times of crisis was the flood in 2013 in the Achental, in which the FüGK, fire department, BRK, THW, water rescue service and DLRG were able to coordinate successfully.

Preparation is everything

Another important point is the need for functioning communication channels in disaster control. Information should be disseminated clearly and quickly, for example through warning apps, local radio stations and sirens. This also includes calling on communities to have evacuation and emergency plans ready and to offer information evenings and exercises. In this context, Sepp Hohlweger emphasized the high appreciation for voluntary work in disaster control.

At the local level, a disaster relief camp is also being planned in Litzlwalchen, and the district is providing budget funds for this. The BRK also offers a compact course called “LebensRETTER112”, which focuses on first aid measures. All of these points make it clear that disaster protection is not just a task for the authorities, but begins with every individual and in every community - it is about actively taking responsibility in your own community.

The challenges posed by extreme weather are not new; There have already been devastating flood events in the Traunstein region in the past. For example, in 1899 there was a flood of the century with over 500 mm of rain or the catastrophe in July 1954, which resulted in 12 deaths and forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate. As these events demonstrate, an alert and well-prepared population is essential in times of crisis.