Disaster protection (KatS) / disaster preparedness as part of civil protection

Civil protection includes all disaster and civil protection measures: it is about averting dangers to the civilian population.


Volunteers in German civil protection

Around 1,7 million volunteers work in disaster relief in Germany. 90% of the subdivisions of the aid organizations work almost entirely with volunteers.


Volunteering and full-time work must be able to be practiced efficiently

The areas of responsibility for the helpers are diverse, in particular:

  • Fire protection and technical assistance,
  • ABC protection,
  • salvage and technical service,
  • Medical Services (with Medical Task Force as a core element),
  • veterinary,
  • Care (temporary accommodation and social care),
  • Information and communication technology,
  • Supply (especially food),
  • Water rescue and
  • psychosocial emergency care.

The following authorities, institutions, private and municipal organizations take care of this:

  • Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW)
  • Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK)
  • German Emergency Preparedness Information System (deNIS)
  • Fire departments (especially fire protection units, ABC trains and dangerous goods and hazardous materials trains),
  • State commands of the Bundeswehr,
  • District Liaison Commands of the Bundeswehr,
  • District liaison commands of the Bundeswehr,
  • Regulatory authorities/security authorities
  • Workers' Samaritan Association (ASB),
  • @fire International Civil Protection Germany e. V.,
  • General Rescue Association (ARV),
  • Bavarian Red Cross (BRK)
  • mountain rescue service,
  • BRH Federal Association of Rescue Dogs e.V. (BRH)
  • German Red Cross (DRK),
  • DEMIRA German mine clearers e. V.,
  • German Life Saving Society (DLRG),
  • German Amateur Radio Club (DARC), emergency radio groups of radio amateurs
  • ISAR Germany (International Search and Rescue)
  • Johanniter Accident Help (JUH)
  • Nuclear Technical Assistance Service (KHG)
  • Maltese Relief Service (MHD)
  • Medical Disaster Relief Organization Germany e. V. (MHW),
  • Directorate units of the disaster control authorities
  • Telecom disaster protection
  • Association of Radio Amateurs in Telecommunications and Post (VFDB) (formerly Association of Radio Amateurs of the German Federal Post Office)
  • Water watch.

They all have one thing in common: time and often budgetary resources are limited and therefore training and practice operations must be able to be organized and carried out efficiently. The TCRH Training Center Rescue and Help ensures high efficiency through its infrastructure and services for its guests.


TCRH: From emergency services for emergency services – across specialist services and organizations

Education, further education and training in the TCRH should be realistic: All scenarios were designed by emergency services for emergency services.

Volunteers and full-time emergency services can train here around the clock. The scenarios allow highly efficient training operations for small groups, operational formations and large units.

This ensures optimal preparation for all aspects of disaster operations.


Further information: