The German Red Cross (DRK) is advocating for a nationwide overhaul of regulations impacting volunteer emergency responders, aiming to address perceived inequities in their treatment and support. DRK President Gerda Hasselfeldt has called for a standardized system across Germany, encompassing deployment procedures, training and education and social security provisions.
Currently, volunteer emergency workers face inconsistencies in regulations, particularly regarding the provision of salary continuation and time off from employment when responding to incidents. While volunteers with the fire department and the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) benefit from established protections, those affiliated with organizations like the DRK, Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund (ASB), Johanniter and Malteser often do not receive the same level of support.
Hasselfeldt emphasized that volunteers are frequently the first responders in emergency situations, accounting for nine out of ten individuals involved in civil protection efforts. She highlighted the unfairness of volunteers being forced to use vacation time for deployments, a situation she believes requires urgent rectification. She pointed out that while improvements have been made in some states, such as Saarland, Hesse, Thuringia and Baden-Württemberg, others lack any provisions for time off or salary continuation.
The issue, known as “helper equalization” has been a longstanding demand from aid organizations. David Gregosz, a CDU parliamentarian and rapporteur for volunteering within the German Bundestag, echoed the DRK’s concerns, stating that the frustration among volunteers is understandable. He underscored the need for a unified approach, especially considering that disasters often cross state borders. Gregosz suggested that a state-level initiative to harmonize regulations would likely receive support from the federal government and that a nationwide law, although challenging given existing state jurisdiction, could also be considered.
However, skepticism remains. Jan Köstering, a representative for civil protection within the Left party’s parliamentary group, criticized the lack of progress, accusing the federal government and states of deliberately delaying action. He characterized the situation as “organized irresponsibility” and called for nationwide standards that would at least match the support offered to federal police, military personnel and THW employees. He argued that municipal emergency responders deserve comparable levels of care.