Special forces secure fire brigades in difficult terrain
Fire departments are usually the focus of attention when fighting forest and vegetation fires. Less well known is the support they receive from the German Red Cross (DRK) Mountain Rescue Service Darmstadt-Dieburg. At the end of July, the DRK Mountain Rescue Service Heppenheim was deployed to a forest fire near Zwingenberg, among other incidents.
“Our primary task is to provide emergency medical support for the fire department,” explains Philipp Hämmer, head of the German Red Cross Mountain Rescue Service Darmstadt-Dieburg. In difficult terrain, injuries such as sprains can occur quickly. Insect bites or other medical emergencies can also necessitate a deployment.
The mountain rescue service has specialized equipment for operations in the field. In addition to emergency backpacks, oxygen, and defibrillators, this includes all-terrain vehicles, mountain stretchers, and fire-resistant ropes. This equipment allows rescue personnel to be secured on steep slopes and equipment, hoses, or pumps to be transported.
Special training for vegetation fires
To better assess operational situations, mountain rescue team members receive additional training in vegetation fires. Currently, five volunteers in the Darmstadt-Dieburg unit have this qualification; across Hesse, there are 25 specialized rescue personnel.
According to Hämmer, the risk of forest fires is particularly high during the so-called 30-30-30 rule: temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius, less than 30 percent humidity, and wind speeds above 30 kilometers per hour promote the rapid spread of fires. Even if the mountain rescue service is not directly involved in fighting the fires, the emergency responders can detect new hotspots and, if necessary, initiate initial firefighting measures.
The German Red Cross Mountain Rescue Service Darmstadt-Dieburg currently has 26 volunteers. Their area of operation covers the city of Darmstadt and the Darmstadt-Dieburg district. In addition to rescue operations in difficult terrain, they regularly support fire departments fighting forest and vegetation fires. Five members also belong to the Hessian air rescue group and are alerted for air rescue missions together with the state police air squadron.
More information at: www.drk-darmstadt.de
(RED/PM/Stephanie Aurelia Staab)
