Prepared for the unexpected

Guest article by BfS President Dr Inge Paulini in the magazine series "Moderner Katastrophenschutz" of the Behörden Spiegel

The Russian war of aggression on Ukraine has changed the perception of security in Europe. Since the beginning of the war, there has been great concern that nuclear facilities could be affected. Even the use of nuclear weapons no longer seems entirely out of the question. And as the fighting in Ukraine continues unabated, also the war in the Middle East has been causing global concern since last year.

Crises, wars, and conflicts bring dangers that have long seemed unthinkable back into the public mind. The COVID-19 pandemic and the climate crisis have caused a great deal of uncertainty among the population – and this has been exacerbated by the wars. The turnaround in security policy should therefore not be limited to military preparedness but rather include civil defence and, in particular, civil protection.

Preparation even for supposedly unlikely cases

Iodine tablets

At the beginning of the war against Ukraine in February 2022, many citizens asked anxiously about bunkers and protective clothing. The Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) saw an immense demand for information on the subject of iodine tablets in connection with the possible leakage of radioactive substances. The question of how to protect oneself and others in the event of a disaster has once again become relevant.

In order to be able to protect the population in a crisis, good preparation (even for seemingly unlikely cases), close coordination between all stakeholders, and clear communication are required – on an ongoing basis. Civil defence and disaster control are important not only during or shortly after an event but also before.

Federal Radiological Situation Centre as superordinate crisis unit

In recent years, Germany has positioned itself well for a possible radiological emergency. Following the reactor accident in Fukushima, Japan, in 2011, many processes in Germany were revised and improved. The Federal Radiological Situation Centre (RLZ) has been set up as a superordinate crisis unit for radiological emergencies. Under the leadership of the Federal Environment Ministry, experts from various institutions are assessing the situation and deriving recommendations for action. The aim is to centralise information and use lean structures in an emergency. Relevant processes are set out in a general emergency plan, which was adopted in 2023.

In the Federal Radiological Situation Centre, the BfS is responsible for measuring the radioactivity and creating a situation report, which contains an overview of the accident as well as recommendations for protective measures.

1,700 probes for measuring radioactivity

The BfS has set up a comprehensive radioactivity monitoring network for this purpose. With 1,700 measuring probes distributed throughout Germany, the measuring network for the local dose rate (ODL) is the most extensive in the world. Germany therefore has an effective early warning system. If the radioactivity level at a measuring station exceeds a certain threshold, an alert is automatically triggered. The BfS experts have also been closely monitoring the situation in Ukraine since the beginning of the war.

A possible accident involving radioactive substances in Ukraine would probably have only limited consequences for Germany. In the worst-case scenario, certain agricultural products could no longer be marketed or consumed. Even during the Chornobyl reactor disaster (russ.: Chornobyl) in 1986, further measures to protect the population (e.g. iodine tablets and evacuations) were not necessary.

Recognition as part of the critical infrastructure required

Even after the nuclear phase-out in Germany, we must be able to react to other European countries and potential international crises. Important tasks in the coming years include protecting the ODL measuring network against external attacks and strengthening the resilience of crisis units in prolonged threat situations.

President of the Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Dr Inge Paulini

From the point of view of the BfS, the Federal Radiological Situation Centre is fundamental for national crisis preparedness and must therefore be recognised as part of the critical infrastructure. Even in the event of multiple crises, operational capability may not be impaired. Civil defence is a central security policy field of action in the context of overall defence and must therefore be further developed and expanded. This requires the appropriate equipment and political support.

We also need a change in mind-set in order to be prepared for future crises. In order to achieve this, the individual players – from the Federal Chancellor to the district administrator or mayor and the emergency personnel – must network more closely. 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. Interfaces must be taken into account, and the impact on other areas (e.g. the economy and society) must be given greater consideration.

Even sensitive topics must be mentioned

Another important component of crisis management is communication. In 2022, only just under half of those surveyed in a BfS study stated that they trusted the state to protect them in the event of an accident at a nuclear power plant. The study also showed that there is a need for information on how the population should react in the event of an accident involving radioactive substances. There is still a clear need for improvement here. Citizens need to be aware of possible threats and know how to protect themselves against these.

Even sensitive topics must be clearly mentioned. This includes providing transparent information about the risks of using nuclear weapons and the possible consequences. We cannot expect people to trust us if we are not open with information about risks.

All of this requires a permanent commitment to civil defence and disaster control. In order to be able to react appropriately to long-term threats, resources and the will to cooperate must be prioritised. Maintaining this, even when attention may start to wane again, is an important task for the future.