|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The German Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) represents an integral part of the German disaster control system. The organization is a part of the German Home Office.
The structure of THW, which is based on almost 99% volunteers, is unique in the world. More than 76,000 people throughout Germany, organised in 665 local sections, are committed to offering professional assistance to people in extreme difficulty. The commitment of the THW volunteers serves as a model for civic responsibility.
The volunteers are supported by roughly 850 full-time employees. The THW has 6.000 vehicles of various types at its disposal.
The German THW is involved in an increasing number of humanitarian missions throughout the world. THW is organized on a federal level, however, there're a lot of links to the local fire brigades and security services.
The diversity of its units reflects THW's range of operations. For example, there are Technical Groups on the local level which focus on recovery, electricity, supply, water damage/ pumps, communication, bridge building, infrastructure, water hazards, location, logistics, drinking water supply and oil damage and last but not least the special units SEEBA (Rapid Deployment Unit Search and Rescue) and SEEWA (Rapid Deployment Unit Water Supply and Treatment).
The functions of THW are defined in a Federal law. These functions consist in providing technical relief in the sectors of civil defense, disaster relief and international humanitarian assistance. The main fields of activity are rescue, salvage and rehabilitation of infrastructure (water, electricity, sewage).
Under the direction of the THW headquarters being located in Bonn 8 offices of state commissioners, 66 regional commissioners and 665 local sections with voluntary local commissioners form the organizational structure of THW.
The main asset of THW is the professional knowledge of its volunteers. These volunteers represent a wide scope of technical and other professions on various levels of expertise and experience. All THW members receive a special training in several stages in the local sections and at the two THW training centers. The training is focused on skills needed for national and international relief missions.
The organizational basis unit for each local commissioner is the Technical platoon (TZ). Dependent on the size of the local commissioner 1-3 platoons are at its disposal.
Each platoon consists of one command squad and mimimum 2 groups which are focused on a specific range of operations. The first group is always focused on recovery.
The picture to the left illustrates the technical equipment available to each of the groups which are focused on recovery. This type of truck is the basis equipment for each of the 665 local sections and is called "GKW 1".
The technical equipment available with the truck requires a lot of technical training and experience. To get familiar with the technical equipment each volunteer has to participate in a basic training which takes 6 months - 1 year. Due to the voluntary status of the commissioners the training sessions are offered during the weekend or in the evening.
Once a volunteer has completed the basic training he starts his service with one of the Technical Groups. Dependent on the focus of the group he goes through a training which is dedicated to its specific requirements.
The following Technical Groups are provided by THW on a federal level:
rescue and salvage (1.433 units);
general infrastructure (80 units);
debris clearance (152 units);
boat and pontoon (129 units);
electric supply (92 units);
illumination (148 units);
pumping and sewage (107 units);
search and detection (69 units);
command, control and communication (65 units);
logistics (66 units);
blasting (37 units);
water supply and treatment (22 units);
temporary bridge construction (14 units);
oil pollution (15 units);
sections for the Rapid Deployment, search and rescue (4 units);
sections for the Rapid Deployment, water supply and treatment (5 units).
THW Frankfurt represents one of the local sections. Currently there're 3 platoons located. Each of it has a different focus based on the technical groups attached.
The First Technical Platoon is the biggest with 37 volunteers total. The platoon consists of one command squad, 2 rescue squads and 1 oil pollution squad.
The picture to the left reflects the structure of the 1st Technical Platoon as an example.
The first rescue squad is equipped with a "GKW 1" as per picture above. The team acts as a kind of "First Responder" in case of all unspecific requests to THW. As a consequence a broad spectrum from a training as well as from an equipment point of view is required.
The second squad is equipped with an emergency power generator to use most of the tools provided with which are based on electrical power.
The 3rd group is an Oil Pollution squad which provides help when the "black gold" becomes a plague. The specialists of the THW unit use floating barriers to channel the pollutant, they remove it from the surface of the water and fill the harmful substance into special containers. In case of low degrees of pollution, it is even possible to clean the polluted water until it reaches the quality required to be discharged into surface waters.
To transport the equipment and as logistical support to other squads in case of a request this group is equipped with two trucks. The equipment is stored on pallets for high flexibility.
The other two platoons are equipped with a boat and pontoon squad resp. an illumination squad instead of the oil pollution squad.
In Germany THW is requested in many cases of emergency, particularly when its equipment and the special skills of its members are needed for assistance in case of local or regional emergencies.
The Federal Government has frequently ordered THW to provide international assistance in crisis situations such as earthquakes, flooding, drought and refugee emergencies.
THW Frankfurt is permanently looking for volunteers to perform an interesting and challenging service to help people in all kind of emergencies.
In case of interest or any questions feel free to contact us via e-mail at ov-frankfurt-main@thw.de or call us at +49-(0)69-7076-9050.