Rescue operations

Rescue operations cover:

  • receiving emergency calls
  • issuing warnings to the public
  • preventing potential accidents or hazards
  • protecting people, property and the environment against danger, and rescuing accident victims
  • extinguishing fires and limiting damage

Rescue departments provide urgent help in the event of an accident or in the event of a potential hazard.

Accidents, hazards and other situations include:

  • fires (in buildings, vehicles, forests and elsewhere)
  • traffic accidents
  • accidents involving hazardous substances (chemical accidents and oil spills)
  • natural disasters, and collapsed buildings, roads and other structures
  • explosions
  • inspection and verification assignments (for automatic fire alarm systems and smoke alarms)
  • rescuing people and animals
  • loss prevention and executive assistance

In addition, the rescue services help other authorities, for example by providing first response when carrying out urgent prehospital emergency medical care duties.

100,000 rescue missions annually

Annually, the rescue services execute approximately 100,000 rescue missions. Rescue services units are on standby to launch practical rescue operations within minutes. In accidents where urgent assistance is needed, help can be sent to the scene of an accident within an average of 15 minutes of the emergency call no matter where in the country it happens.