BfS becomes a member of Zukunftsforum Öffentliche Sicherheit (ZOES)

Zukunftsforum Öffentliche Sicherheit

With its measurements and situation assessments, the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) makes a key contribution to public safety in a potential radiological emergency. This has become abundantly clear since the start of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. To further improve its networking in this area, the BfS recently became a member of Zukunftsforum Öffentliche Sicherheit (ZOES), a network for the protection of public and civil safety and security.

BfS President Dr Inge Paulini

BfS President Inge Paulini said: "Crises, wars and conflicts bring dangers that have long seemed unthinkable back into the public mind. Protecting people effectively in such times calls for effective preparation and close coordination. The BfS is well positioned to handle crises, but we want to further intensify dialogue with other stakeholders. With that in mind, we're delighted to be a member of Zukunftsforum Öffentliche Sicherheit."

Zukunftsforum Öffentliche Sicherheit was founded in 2007 as an all-party initiative of Bundestag members from the internal affairs committee and sees itself as a think tank for shaping future developments in public safety and security in Germany. Focal topics include resilience and critical infrastructures (KRITIS) in municipalities, districts and federal states as well as in the federal government and the economy.

A need for shared understanding

Tasks in the area of emergency preparedness

Within the Federal Radiological Situation Centre (RLZ), which was set up as part of the lessons learned following the reactor accident in Fukushima, Japan, the BfS is responsible for measurements of radioactivity as well as for compiling situation reports. With 1,700 probes for measuring radioactivity, Germany has an effective early warning system that is supplemented with trace measurements by the BfS on Mount Schauinsland, near Freiburg, as well as up to 12 mobile measurement teams.

The measurement data forms part of the Radiological Situation Report, which contains an overview of the consequences of a possible accident as well as recommendations regarding protective measures.

Paulini said: "For us, coordination with other civil protection stakeholders is vital. Should a radiological emergency occur in Germany, it's very important that there be close coordination between all relevant bodies – from the federal government to the emergency services on the ground. There is a need for a shared understanding of different disaster scenarios from all areas and a willingness to consider not only one’s own small area but also the process as a whole. Zukunftsforum Öffentliche Sicherheit is an important platform for these efforts."