{"id":36593,"date":"2026-09-14T16:47:50","date_gmt":"2026-09-14T14:47:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eurogip.fr\/?p=36593"},"modified":"2026-09-14T16:48:33","modified_gmt":"2026-09-14T14:48:33","slug":"germany-preventing-occupational-risks-for-firefighters-in-the-face-of-climate-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eurogip.fr\/en\/germany-preventing-occupational-risks-for-firefighters-in-the-face-of-climate-change\/","title":{"rendered":"Germany: Preventing occupational risks for firefighters in the face of climate change"},"content":{"rendered":"

Following a summer in 2026 marked by numerous episodes of extreme heat and several fires, the German Social Accident Insurance (Deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung<\/em> \u2013 DGUV) published a press release addressing the consequences of the growing number of vegetation fires for firefighters.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In this document, issued on 14 August 2026, the DGUV reaffirmed its commitment to supporting firefighters in preventing occupational risks and preparing for emergency response operations<\/strong>. This includes specific training courses, professional development programmes, and awareness-raising initiatives for both managerial and operational personnel.<\/p>\n

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Tools to support firefighters during prolonged operations<\/strong><\/h1>\n

A DGUV survey<\/a><\/span>, conducted between March and June 2025 among 1,735 firefighters in Germany, found that “the majority of respondents reported an increase in the number of emergency call-outs in recent years<\/strong>“, particularly as a result of drought (75%), heatwaves (66%), heavy rainfall (61%), vegetation fires (55%) and storms (55%).<\/p>\n

These operations expose firefighters<\/strong> to hazardous substances, high temperatures and smoke, often over long periods, with limited opportunities for rest and under physically demanding conditions.<\/p>\n

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HFUK Nord notably offers a newly developed continuing training programme<\/strong>, the “FireToolBox”<\/a><\/strong><\/span> project.<\/p>\n

At national level, the DGUV has also published a practical guide<\/strong>, FBFHB-035 “Safety and Health in Vegetation Firefighting”<\/a><\/strong><\/span>, designed to help fire services and emergency response organisations prepare for and carry out operations safely.<\/p>\n

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Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n