Politics Council of States wants to send civilians to civil defense in case of staff shortage

If civil defense is understaffed, civilian service members will have to do part of their service with civil defense. And more former members of the army are to become civil defense officers. This was decided by the Council of States on Wednesday.

By 33 votes to 9, it said yes to the amendments to the Civil Protection Act (BZG) on Wednesday. The no votes came from the SP and the Greens. The bill, which is based on the report on the funding of the army and civil defense, will now go to the National Council.

The Federal Council justifies the proposals with the shortage of personnel in civil defense and its tasks in emergencies and disasters. The national target figure is 72,000 civil defense personnel. At the beginning of 2024, the actual number was 60,000. According to the Federal Council, this could still be around 50,000 by 2030.

The fact that civilians can serve up to eighty days with the civil defense if it is understaffed was a topic of discussion in the Council. Civil defence organizations are to be recognized as civilian service organizations.