The German Red Cross (DRK) inaugurated Germany’s largest and most advanced civil protection center in Luckenwalde, Teltow-Fläming, on Thursday.

The German Red Cross (DRK) officially opened the largest civil protection center in Germany on Thursday in Luckenwalde, located in the Teltow-Fläming district. The facility, described as the most modern of its kind, aims to set new standards in crisis preparedness and response. Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) attended the inauguration, emphasizing the center’s role as a model for future hubs across the country. He referred to the facility as ‘a small city that can be rapidly deployed anywhere,’ providing training opportunities for DRK personnel with essential equipment and materials.

The new center spans approximately 3.4 hectares and consolidates previously dispersed emergency supplies, replacing the smaller central warehouse at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) in Schönefeld. The facility stores essential items such as tents, emergency accommodation supplies for up to 1,000 families, blankets, sleeping bags, field beds, hygiene kits, baby care packages, and kitchen equipment. Additionally, it houses off-road ambulances, large power generators, and oxygen supply systems. These resources are intended for use in various emergencies, including floods, large-scale evacuations, and international crises. Minister Dobrindt highlighted the importance of adapting to ‘new conditions,’ including hybrid threats, and stressed the need for both advanced technology and trained personnel.

DRK President Hermann Gröhe underscored the center’s significance in strengthening national crisis preparedness, describing it as a key asset for Germany’s civil protection efforts. He noted that the DRK has proactively addressed gaps in civil defense infrastructure, which had been overlooked during more peaceful times. Gröhe pointed to past emergencies, such as the devastating floods in the Ahr Valley and the 2015 refugee influx, as examples of scenarios requiring rapid and large-scale humanitarian response. The modular system at the Luckenwalde center is designed to support up to 5,000 individuals with essential services, including housing, medical care, and access to clean water, ensuring comprehensive support during crises.