Kretz disappointed: New disaster control center will be relocated to the airfield!

Kretz disappointed: New disaster control center will be relocated to the airfield!

In July, the district council decided not to build the planned disaster protection center in Kretz, as originally planned, but at the Mendig airfield. This turnaround caused a lot of conversation in the Pellenz community. Mayor Sebastian Busch expressed concern about the impact of this decision on the local community. District Administrator Marko Boos from the SPD confirmed the decision at a meeting of the district council and emphasized the importance of this measure for future crisis management.

The plans originally called for the center to be built in Kretz in 2020. Looking back, the decision is not only strategic in nature, but also causes a back and forth that upsets many citizens. The topic of disaster protection is becoming increasingly important in times of increasing natural hazards. It is therefore not surprising that the state of Rhineland-Palatinate is introducing a new state law on fire and disaster protection (LBKG), which is intended to set the course for modern and efficient disaster protection. This reform is based on recent experience and recommendations from hearings that were widely supported by municipal associations and the state fire brigade association.

New regulations for a secure future

The LBKG is modernizing the existing structures in order to meet current and future challenges, such as the climate crisis. Clear definitions for “major incidents” and “catastrophes” are anchored in the legal framework. The municipal authorities usually take over the management of operations, while the state remains in charge in radiological situations.

A newly founded state office for fire and disaster control also began work on January 1, 2025. The first real operational scenario, a power outage in the Westerwald on New Year's Day, put the new structures to the test. One of the main innovations is the introduction of a disaster pre-alarm in order to put the emergency services on standby at an early stage.

In order to further optimize management structures in the event of a crisis, municipal authorities need a clear legal basis. This law also requires the updating of requirements and development plans as well as the continuous updating of the alarm and deployment plans. Uniform exercise specifications should also be set out in a supplementary disaster protection ordinance.

The further development of disaster control in Rhineland-Palatinate aims to sustainably strengthen the security of citizens. The most recent decisions and reforms are therefore not just bureaucratic measures, but also represent a clear commitment to ecological and safety-related responsibility.

Outlook for further development

The district council's decision to locate Mendig Airfield could have far-reaching consequences for the region. It remains to be seen whether this strategy of initiating the new disaster protection center actually brings the hoped-for security gain. For the residents of Kretz, however, the withdrawal of the project is a clear setback, which will certainly shape the local discussion about future disaster protection measures.

A constant challenge that should not be underestimated - not least at a time when natural disasters and other crises are occurring more frequently. Rhineland-Palatinate is therefore at a crossroads. Now it's time to demonstrate good skills in order to be able to meet future challenges. You can find more information on the website of KV MYK, Rhine newspaper and MDI Rhineland-Palatinate.