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Meetings on fire protection, civil defense and the economy – reliability demanded for municipalities
City Councillor Paul Georg Wandrey represented the science city of Darmstadt at two committee meetings of the German Association of Cities in recent weeks. In Essen, the focus was on disaster relief and emergency services, while in Munich, economic policy issues and the European single market were discussed.
The Committee for Fire Protection, Disaster Control, and Rescue Services made it clear that the challenges facing municipalities have changed. "Previously, the focus was primarily on disaster relief; today, civil defense is increasingly taking center stage," clear guidelines , a unified approach , and sufficient financial resources in this area to be able to fulfill their responsibilities in times of tension or national emergency .
Another topic was safety at large events and attacks on emergency personnel using fireworks. Wandrey called for a nationwide regulation for the sale of fireworks: "There must be no patchwork of local regulations." legal framework for law enforcement agencies at events on private property also needs to be more clearly defined.
Energy supply and infrastructure: Simplifying planning processes
Energy policy of the Committee on Economic Affairs and the European Single Market in Munich . Wandrey emphasized that municipalities need a reliable strategy from the federal government to plan for the long term. "A secure energy supply and the most stable prices possible are crucial for cities."
Another key focus was the simplification of planning processes . Wandrey advocated for eliminating complex planning approval procedures when replacing old infrastructure – especially when adjustments are necessary but the fundamental use remains the same. "This would significantly accelerate projects like the Rhine Road Bridge, IGEL3, or DAVIA."
Darmstadt continues to advocate within the German Association of Cities for practical solutions that enable municipalities to implement construction and security projects more quickly and efficiently.
(DARAMSTADT – RED/PSD/dk Archive photo: Arthur Schönbein)
