German civil defense against attack unprepared … – The Republic

picture-alliance / dpa

After the end of the Cold War in the 90s liquidated shelters, dismantled sirens , getting rid of food stocks, in the belief that the specter of war, never to return. Now, apparently, is again different.

In the face of global conflicts and crises, the German government once again taking action to protect civilians in case of war.

– As the Bundeswehr adapts a new focus in security policy to the current situation, the same must be adapted to the civil defense – said the director of the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Civil Defence Christoph Unger.

In the event of a missile attack

appeared because new threats such as ballistic missiles in the Middle East or Russia’s behavior in a crisis Ukrainian – Unger explains in an interview with “Saarbruecker Zeitung.”

He pointed out that much has been done in the past for the possibility of civil disasters and crises. But for the possibility of danger from the outside, which is an attack on Germany, things neglected, he believes.

“We have neglected public consultation, talk to people about what to do when the warning sirens howl against a missile attack.”

In the field of civil persons responsible for this at the ministerial level agreed a few days ago that it will regularly review the preparation of the current civil defense emergency. An action plan will be prepared in the event of a military attack.

How to alert people?

The main problem is apparently now way of warning the population. During the colder the war, there was an extensive system of sirens, which was liquidated in 1992. About 40 thousand. devices have been adapted to the needs of local governments, mostly to keep fire exercises.

Now, be prepared for the whole territory of Germany supported satellite warning system that uses radio and television channels. In addition, there will be mobile applications. They are tested already in North Rhine-Westphalia in Duesseldorf and Guetersloh.

The head of the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Civil Defence regrets, however, that so far there is no public discussion of the potential hazards and behavior in such situations

shelters only for a fraction of the population

The coordination between relevant institutions in the event of a threat since 2004 is monitored in the context of the specific crisis management exercises. So far, however, only taken into account the threat of natural disasters.

According to current plans, civil protection does not take into account the reactivation of old nuclear bunker or building new ones. Existing bunkers would give shelter only 2.5 percent. of the population.

In the so-called government bunker in the Eifel region, for example, localized documentation center of the Cold War.

German civil defense against attack unprepared … – The Republic