Hannover, Germany. For more than 70 years, INTERSCHUTZ has been writing a remarkable success story. It began as a purely firefighting-focused exhibition under the name “The Red Rooster” and has evolved into the world’s leading trade fair for fire services, rescue services and civil protection. This year, under the motto “Safeguarding tomorrow,” it is bringing together more than 1,600 international companies from 53 countries across more than 114,500 square meters of exhibition space – making it the undisputed number one in its sector.

June 3–14, 1953

The very first specialist exhibition, “The Red Rooster,” held in Essen, already proved to be a pioneering event. Over eleven days, 75,000 visitors gained a comprehensive insight into the sector from 232 exhibitors across 62,000 square meters of exhibition space. Former Fire Director August Ortloph, then chairman of the German Fire Protection Association (vfdb), is regarded as one of the “inventors” of INTERSCHUTZ. At the time, no one could have foreseen that the concept – combining an idealistic and a commercial component with an attractive supporting program – would become the formula for success for future trade fairs, laying the foundation for the world’s leading exhibition “INTERSCHUTZ.”

June 21 – July 2, 1961

Cologne hosted the second International Exhibition for Fire Protection, Radiation Protection and Disaster Control, “Interschutz – The Red Rooster.” The distinctive name “Interschutz” was used for the first time. The outcome: on around 80,000 square meters of exhibition space, 187 exhibitors provided 67,000 visitors with an unprecedentedly comprehensive overview of research challenges as well as organizational and technical protection measures.

June 24 – July 2, 1972

Eleven years later, the next “Interschutz – The Red Rooster” took place in Frankfurt am Main. It was already considered the largest and most important exhibition of its kind worldwide. A total of 279 exhibitors were represented, and more than 72,000 visitors from 65 countries traveled to the Hessian metropolis.

June 7–15, 1980

As calls from the industry for shorter intervals grew louder, it was decided to hold another exhibition for fire and disaster protection after just eight years. Deutsche Messe AG, Hannover, became the partner. A curiosity at the time: INTERSCHUTZ was originally scheduled for October 4–12, with the German Firefighters’ Day planned for October 4–5. However, it later emerged that federal elections would be held on October 5, prompting both events to be brought forward to June 7–15. The exhibition achieved record figures, with nearly 124,000 visitors from 67 countries and 388 commercial exhibitors across 65,000 square meters.

May 28 – June 2, 1988

This edition of INTERSCHUTZ was also a resounding success. With more than 134,000 visitors, another record was set. The number of exhibitors also reached new dimensions, with 576 companies occupying 64,000 square meters. Numerous associations and organizations also used the event for meetings and assemblies.

June 3–8, 1994

Another record: 138,424 visitors – the exact result of INTERSCHUTZ 1994 in Hannover. Across 95,349 square meters of exhibition space, 863 exhibitors presented their offerings. The number of non-commercial exhibitors also rose significantly, from 72 in 1988 to 127. The event was praised for demonstrating “through practical presentations and demonstrations the capabilities of highly trained teams using state-of-the-art products.”

June 21–25, 2000

Due to the German Firefighters’ Day in Augsburg, INTERSCHUTZ was also held there – and, like its predecessors, proved highly successful. Deutsche Messe AG, Hannover, remained the organizer. In the same year, Expo 2000 took place in Hannover. The results: 1,017 exhibitors, 73,040 square meters of exhibition space, and 127,039 visitors.

June 6–11, 2005

Back in Hannover, INTERSCHUTZ was held for the first time alongside the specialist exhibition for police and internal security, Interpolice. The “tandem” event recorded 1,345 exhibitors, 92,000 square meters, and 137,000 visitors.

June 7–12, 2010

On the occasion of the 28th German Firefighters’ Day, INTERSCHUTZ was held in Leipzig, again organized by Deutsche Messe AG. Compared to 2005, the event saw significant growth. A total of 1,346 exhibitors from 46 countries presented their products and services. With 90,000 square meters of exhibition space, the entire exhibition grounds were fully occupied. Over six days, more than 124,000 visitors attended – far exceeding expectations.

June 8–13, 2015

Once again in Hannover, experts from around the world in firefighting, disaster protection, rescue services and security gathered. With 1,453 exhibitors from 51 countries, participation reached a record level. Companies occupied 107,327 square meters of space. INTERSCHUTZ thus reached a new dimension in its 62-year history as the world’s leading trade fair. Over six days, it attracted 157,000 visitors from all parts of the world. One topic increasingly moved to the forefront: digitalization.

June 20–25, 2022

Originally planned for 2020, INTERSCHUTZ had to be postponed twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic before finally taking place in 2022. More than 1,296 exhibitors from around 50 countries presented their products, services and innovations across more than 84,000 square meters. A total of 95,000 international visitors attended. The central theme was “Teams, Tactics, Technology – Connected Protection and Rescue.”

June 1–6, 2026

Once again in Hannover – this time with a new motto: “Safeguarding tomorrow.” More than 1,600 exhibitors from 53 countries are presenting their products and innovations across more than 114,500 square meters, reflecting a new era shaped by global change.

About INTERSCHUTZ

INTERSCHUTZ is the world's leading trade fair for firefighting, rescue, and civil protection. Taking place in 2026 in Hannover under the motto “Safeguarding Tomorrow”, INTERSCHUTZ showcases a comprehensive range of products and services in the fields of firefighting, preventive fire protection, rescue services, civil protection, communication and control center technology, as well as protective equipment. All information about the trade fair and supporting program is available at www.interschutz.de and is updated on an ongoing basis. The INTERSCHUTZ portfolio also includes international events such as AFAC Australia , REAS Italy and the China International Emergency Management Exhibition .