CDU sees Berlin poorly prepared: “If a catastrophe were to occur tomorrow, we would not be prepared” – Berlin
While Bremen is pushing ahead with planning for the construction of emergency shelters in the event of an interruption in the gas supply, the state of Berlin does not want to make any additional arrangements for the construction of corresponding halls or tents. “We are not currently planning emergency thermal accommodation,” said a spokesman for the Senate Social Administration to the Tagesspiegel.
Nevertheless, there are considerations and concepts on how to support Berliners in the coming autumn and winter and how to cushion energy poverty. Social Senator Katja Kipping (left) recently told the Tagesspiegel: “It’s about experiencing places of encounter, of human warmth, where people can get together well.”
The Tagesspiegel reports from Senate circles that the country considers the scenario of a complete collapse of the gas supply and thus permanently uninhabited areas to be unrealistic.
When asked, the Bremen Senate Chancellery also emphasized that such a scenario was extremely unlikely. It will now be checked, for example, which public buildings such as schools and gyms are heated with which energy sources – also so that in an absolute emergency you know which buildings would be suitable as accommodation.
CDU MP: Disaster control plans don’t help
Should there be an interruption in a gas supply in Berlin, the state’s disaster control plans would take effect, as in any collective risk situation. However, CDU MP Alexander Herrmann warns against relying on it. A reference to civil protection will “not help in practice,” Herrmann told the Tagesspiegel. “Much of what is being considered in this area has not yet been developed. If a catastrophe struck tomorrow, we would not be prepared.”
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Herrmann calls on the Senate to check whether there are sufficient staff and resources available for the winter, especially in the districts on the outskirts of the city. “In my district of Marzahn-Hellersdorf, there is currently one person who works part-time who is responsible for civil protection,” says Herrmann. According to Herrmann, the Senate should also seek contact with various aid organizations and the housing industry. “We saw with the refugees from Ukraine that it would not have worked without voluntary and external support.”
Association of civil servants will be involved in measures
The Berlin Association of Civil Servants (DBB) also called on the Senate on Friday to better prepare for the fall in view of a corona wave that is to be feared and a possible energy shortage. “The public service must continue to function,” said a statement from the DBB on Friday. “It’s very urgent!” After the upcoming crisis meeting of the Senate on August 16, “appropriate plans” should be experienced immediately.
Specifically, the dbb calls for employee associations and more involvement in crisis management. “We expect that we will be involved in the planning and implementation of the measures,” said Frank Becker, state chairman of the dbb, the daily mirror.
Registration office for employees
Employees should be encouraged to actively participate in saving energy. In order to collect suggestions, the dbb proposes a central reporting office. If more work from home is employed again, the dbb also demands a compensation payment for the higher energy costs that arise.
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In its message, the dbb also refers to a report by the state audit office. He had sharply criticized the crisis management, especially of the health administration during the corona pandemic. According to the report, which was published a month ago, there had been “significant violations of budgetary management”.
Among other things, the authors complained about “significant deficiencies in the structure and process organization of the crisis team” and “insufficient staffing” and called for increased prevention. The dbb agrees “unreservedly with the comments published by the state audit office”.
Berlin Senate wants to save ten percent of energy consumption
At the beginning of the week, the Governing Mayor Franziska Giffey (SPD) announced the establishment of a cross-departmental crisis management system due to an energy shortage. Giffey has not yet given any details.
The goal of the Berlin Senate is to save ten percent of their energy consumption. Among other things, the temperature in the administration buildings should be reduced. In order to collect and coordinate ideas for savings, the Senate has set up a task force involving all Senate administrations. The results of the task force will be discussed by the Senate next Tuesday and then presented.