The Berlin Fire Department’s emergency services have been operating under immense strain, with the system in an exceptional state for 183 days since September 2024. This chronic overload, a result of years of stopgap measures, has prompted a significant move by the Berlin House of Representatives’ Interior Committee. On Monday, the committee greenlit a new Emergency Services Act, expected to be formally adopted by the state parliament after Easter. This legislative change is touted as a crucial step towards alleviating the pressure on paramedics, but a closer look reveals a complex interplay of hopes and fears.
A Radical Shift or a Necessary Evil?
Interior Senator Iris Spranger (SPD) expressed confidence, stating, “Our path is correct and will bring relief to the emergency services.” The core of the new act centers on several key objectives:
- Focus on Core Tasks: The fire department will concentrate on emergency rescue and transport, delegating non-essential medical transport to private companies.
- Reducing Trivial Calls: Measures aim to decrease avoidable minor incidents, such as using emergency services for “taxi rides to the doctor.” Misuse of the emergency number will be subject to sanctions.
- Improved Data Exchange: Enhanced communication between emergency rooms, forensic medicine, and emergency services is expected.
- Integration of Volunteers: Greater involvement of volunteer rescuers.
- Societal Prevention: Promotion of widespread first-aid courses and a “preventive emergency service.”
A significant change, stemming from a 2024 deviation ordinance, is that not every emergency vehicle (RTW) needs to be staffed with an emergency paramedic for every call. This paved the way for the introduction of five new emergency categories last year, meaning RTWs are no longer required to arrive within ten minutes for every emergency. Additionally, the central number 19222 for patient transport will be promoted as an alternative.
The Social Dimension of Emergency Care
However, this reform is not without its critics. The opposition has raised concerns that critical emergencies might be overlooked or delayed due to the new categorization system. Berlin’s Fire Chief Karsten Homrighausen sought to allay these fears, emphasizing, “When in doubt, we respond.” He assured that cases would not be left unaddressed at the control center and would undergo comprehensive emergency call protocols.
Senator Spranger also criticized the Green Party’s
