Disaster protection in Saxony-Anhalt: Unequal distribution of lighthouses raises alarm!

Disaster protection in Saxony-Anhalt: Unequal distribution of lighthouses raises alarm!

In crisis situations, quick and effective measures are required. In Saxony-Anhalt, the disaster control lighthouses, also known as KatLighthouses, play an important role as contact points for the population. However, with 349 of these emergency contact points nationwide, the presence varies greatly from region to region. The density is particularly high in the Saale district with 102 lighthouses, while in the Mansfeld-Südharz district there are only three lighthouses available. In cities like Magdeburg and Halle the situation is also very different: Magdeburg is home to 19 lighthouses, while in Halle a concept is currently being developed that does not yet provide any concrete figures. These information centers are designed to provide emergency power supplies and help that can be quickly available in an emergency, reports South Germans.

State parliament member Henke has already urgently called for the unequal distribution of lighthouses to be remedied and for comprehensive disaster protection concepts to be established. This demand is also supported by nationwide initiatives that have set up KatLighthouses in many municipalities and states since 2015. These not only provide information, but also promote neighborly exchange and forward emergency calls. A nationwide concept for crisis management, which varies greatly in its design, has increasingly come into focus in recent years. The Federal Authority for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief (BBK) has already presented important findings from a comprehensive study on the subject of cat lighthouses, which shows development opportunities.

Challenges in disaster protection

The need for effective disaster protection has become increasingly important in the recent past. The war in Ukraine highlighted how important it is to be prepared for crises. Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has called for Germany to be “war-ready” within the next five years, which involves heavy investments in defense. In addition, reference is made to the urgent need for a functioning siren network, of which only around 50% is currently operational in Berlin, according to the Deutschlandfunk.

Responsibility for disaster control lies with the federal states, while the federal government takes care of protecting the civilian population in the event of war. The BBK, which has existed since 2004, is also interested in restoring effective civil protection. A comprehensive strategy involves involving both the population and local partners in the disaster protection concepts at an early stage in order to increase their acceptance and efficiency.

Civil defense has been neglected for years. Closures of shelters and the decline in emergency reserves are the consequences of this disregard. The BBK points out that the population should be encouraged to stock up on food and water, as government help is often not enough in crisis situations. Self-help training courses, such as the EHSH courses, are another component for increasing the chances of survival in emergencies.

Overall, it should be noted that the availability and organization of disaster control contact points, such as the KatLighthouses, are of central importance for the safety of the population. A further need for action to improve infrastructure is evident and political decision-makers are called upon to take a clear position.