Lower Saxony is preparing: 56 new vehicles for disaster control!

Lower Saxony is preparing: 56 new vehicles for disaster control!

An important step for disaster protection will be taken in Lower Saxony on October 11, 2025. At a celebratory event in Celle, Interior Minister Daniela Behrens (SPD) presented the commissioning of a new vehicle fleet that was specially designed for disaster relief operations. This modern fleet includes 56 new emergency vehicles, representing a total investment of 15.9 million euros. This step is particularly relevant in times of increasing extreme weather in Europe, such as the catastrophic flood events at Christmas 2023.

Around 150 guests from the state parliament, the disaster control authorities and the vehicle operators were present at the event. The new fleet is divided into different types: 24 vehicles are specially equipped for fighting vegetation fires. These include tank fire engines, off-road command vehicles and equipment such as mobile water containers and fire-fighting backpacks, which are particularly popular this season. Given the increasing risk of forest fires, this equipment is essential. According to the information from vegetationsbraende.de Special techniques for fighting vegetation fires are also trained and taught.

The vehicle fleet in detail

The remaining 32 vehicles are assigned to land command trains. These are used in large-scale disasters or large-scale operations outside of Lower Saxony. Each vehicle has extensive equipment, including command and communication vehicles as well as personnel transport vehicles. These innovations should not only benefit Lower Saxony, but also help across Europe when major disasters have an impact beyond the state's borders.

What is particularly exciting is that the vehicles have been gradually set up and trained since 2022. A prime example is the Wiesmoor Volunteer Fire Department, which is testing a prototype of a fire department tractor for a year - an important measure to strengthen the resilience of any fire threats. Associations strongly warn against inaction in civil protection and emphasize the need for a proactive approach in this area.

Public interest and outlook

In recent years, the topic of disaster protection has gained considerable public interest, also in the context of the upcoming federal election. It seems as if the population has a good knack for recognizing the importance of disaster prevention and acting accordingly. This makes it clear that investments in vehicles and training of emergency services are just the beginning. Lower Saxony also plans to make further investments in this area in order to be best prepared for the challenges of the future.

The state in Lower Saxony relies on prevention, equipment and training to ensure the safety of the population. With the new fleet, an important step has been taken so that the emergency services can continue to respond efficiently and well-equipped to crisis situations in the future.