The Bavarian Ministry of the Interior - Rescue - Fire-fighting - Recovery

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Fire and Disaster Prevention, Search and Rescue Services, Civil Protection

Prompt aid in emergencies from the fire-fighting, rescue and civil protection services

To ensure help is there as quickly as possible in an emergency, we provide support for local bodies, relief organizations and associations. In 2004, funding amounted to close on EUR 47.8 million.

Around 330,000 honorary fire-fighters (of whom almost 16,000 are women) working for upward of 7,800 volunteer fire brigades in Bavarian towns and municipalities are committed to the task of fire protection. They are backed by 280 professional fire departments, including company and factory units, that come to the rescue in case of emergency. In 2004 our Ministry provides funds of approx. EUR 36 million for fire engines, fire-fighting equipment and storing-houses. Chimney-sweeps check the safety of heating and ventilation systems. The Ministry of the Interior issues the ordinances that regulate the duties of these traditional German mascots.

The area-wide rescue service is of great importance when it comes to saving human lives. If we include the water and mountain rescue services, the Free State of Bavaria made more than EUR 10.3 million available for investment in 2004. The services are provided by relief organisations and private rescue companies whose more than 1,300 service vehicles are controlled by 26 rescue centres. In addition, Bavaria's public rescue service deploys 8 rescue helicopters and 4 transport helicopters with intensive care facilities on board. We ensure that emergency rescue operations and ambulance services are carried out under ideal conditions.



Disaster control depends mainly on the task-forces of the fire brigades, relief organisations and the German Technical Relief Organisation (Technisches Hilfswerk - THW). It is augmented from federal funds with a fleet of 2,500 vehicles to which 21,000 voluntary workers are allocated. Every year we spend approx. EUR 1.5 million on ensuring a rapid response in the event of a disaster. Another EUR 8.55 million are available for this purpose from the "Sicherheitspaket Bayern" - Bavaria's Security Package - from 2002 to 2005.