When the flood of the century caused devastating damage on the Elbe and Danube a short time later, it became clear that Germany was not sufficiently prepared for crises and disasters. The answer was the founding of the BBK in Bonn-Lengsdorf / Germany.

Visitors to INTERSCHUTZ 2026 will also be able to find out about the work of the BBK, which will have its own stand there. Civil protection is one of the focus topics at the upcoming world's leading trade fair.

In addition to its legal mandate to protect the population in the event of defence, the BBK also raises public awareness of the need to prepare for crises. ‘Together with its partners, it ensures a safe and secure life in Germany - around the clock, 365 days a year,’ says a BBK spokesperson. In organisational terms, the Federal Office reports to the Federal Ministry of the Interior. In addition to Bonn-Lengsdorf, there are other locations in Bonn, Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler and Berlin.

Ralph Tiesler has been President since 15 June 2022 and Dr René Funk has been Vice President since 16 October 2023. The authority currently employs around 700 staff at its five locations.

Alongside the police, armed forces and intelligence services, the BBK is tasked with anchoring civil defence as the fourth pillar of the national security system. Its central tasks are to organise protection for the population in the event of a situation of tension or defence, to make citizens aware of the need for preparedness and self-protection, to expand civil defence and to strengthen national crisis management. At the same time, the BBK advises and supports the other federal and state authorities in their tasks.

BKK at the INTERSCHUTZ 2026

‘The BBK is a permanent fixture for the specialist audience at INTERSCHUTZ 2026,’ assures the spokesperson. ‘Those involved in disaster and civil protection work with the Federal Office on a daily basis: They receive further training for their tasks at the Federal Academy for Civil Protection and Civil Defence (BABZ), make use of the BBK's wide range of handouts and guidelines and find out about the latest findings in civil protection at the research congress. Last but not least, they all use the federal government's warning infrastructure - some as senders, all as recipients of current warning messages via the BBK's NINA warning app, Cell Broadcast and the other elements of the Modular Warning System.

The BBK provides the warning infrastructure to the local authorities responsible for disaster control and the federal states as part of the integrated emergency response system. With the Modular Warning System, the federal government now operates a powerful and highly available warning and communication system.

Important equipment

The BBK designs, procures and supplies additional equipment to ensure that the emergency services are equipped for civil defence: from sensor technology for CBRN protection and special vehicles for medical services and fire protection to the 18 orange-coloured civil defence helicopters, BBK equipment is stationed throughout Germany in addition to the equipment provided by the federal states for civil defence.

Civil defence must be expanded

‘Two decades after the BBK was founded, we are once again in a time of rethinking,’ says Ralph Tiesler, President of the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance. The BBK President adds: ‘In view of the security policy situation, we are faced with the urgent need to massively expand civil defence together with our partners.

Our most important goal is a society that can deal with extreme situations - from state actors to companies and the population itself. In its 20 years of existence, the BBK has established itself as a key player in civil protection and plays a decisive role in civil defence when it comes to preparing for potential threats.’

Exhibition Area Civil Protection