Fire brigade crisis: How East Frisia prevented the decline of the Brandweer

Fire brigade crisis: How East Frisia prevented the decline of the Brandweer

In Germany, the fire service is an indispensable part of disaster control. About 95% of firefighters are volunteer rescuers who work tirelessly to serve their communities. In comparison, the Dutch fire department, the Brandweer, is struggling with staff shortages. Friedhelm Tannen, President of the East Frisia Fire Brigade Association, made this observation during a visit to the Netherlands. There are usually around 70 to 120 residents per fire brigade member in East Frisia, while in the Groningen region this number rises to almost 800. Let's take a closer look at the differences and challenges faced by both systems.

What makes the Brandweer so special?
The structure of the Dutch fire department differs significantly from that in Germany. All firefighters must be trained in respiratory protection, which allows greater flexibility in operations. Anyone can take on any task. Furthermore, there are only six emergency services on a fire department vehicle instead of nine as planned in Germany. Research shows that the willingness to volunteer is lower in the Netherlands compared to Germany, which explains the low number of volunteers. According to the findings of Fire Department Life.de, an average community with 15,000 residents only has 16 emergency services, which increases the critical situation.

Different training paths

The fire service in the Netherlands has developed significantly in recent decades, although it was originally based on the German fire service. However, there are now cross-community security regions (Veiligheidsregio) that are increasingly taking over the organization. A uniform training system for both volunteers and full-time staff has been implemented, and training ranges from firefighters to leading associations. This is a remarkable approach to ensure a high level of training and increase efficiency, as described by Christian Velthausz from the Noord-en Oost-Gelderland Security Region.

In Germany, on the other hand, the fire service is characterized by legal regulations in the individual federal states. The organization varies greatly; there are city, district and district fire brigade associations. Various financial incentives are also offered, such as up to 4 euros per assignment or training day in some communities, to promote commitment. In Lower Saxony, for example, the personnel shortage is not widespread and the number of volunteer firefighters has exceeded the 130,000 mark.

The value of volunteering

A special aspect in the Netherlands is the staggered expense allowance that the members of the Brandweer receive. You can earn up to 25 euros per hour of use. This concept may offer some incentives, but falls short of the financial incentives in Germany. In many German communities, the volunteer fire departments are open to all citizens, although membership is free of charge and entry and exit are based on personal commitment.

How do both countries face the challenges?
The challenges are similar in both systems, but they are addressed differently. In Germany, intensive support is necessary to ensure the recruitment of young talent and to keep existing members active - be it through regular training or through leisure activities. In the Netherlands, however, a fundamental overhaul of the incentives for membership in the Brandweer may be necessary to attract more citizens to volunteer work. A long-term goal of both countries should be to ensure the safety of the population and adequately support the emergency services.

In summary, it can be said that the fire service in Germany and the Netherlands faces major challenges due to the different structures and training systems. Whether it's about recruiting personnel for the fire department or ensuring that there is a shortage of emergency personnel - real cooperation is required here.

For more information about the structures of the fire department in the Netherlands, visit NWZonline, Feuerwehrleben and Wikipedia.