Forest fire management module, GFFF-V DE1, completed successfully in Spain, under the supervision of NRW.
German Forest Fire Unit Completes Successful Two-Week Deployment in Spain
The German Forest Fire Unit GFFF-V DE1, a certified and standardized formation within the European disaster response procedure, has returned to North Rhine-Westphalia after a successful two-week deployment in Spain. The unit, consisting of firefighters from Bonn, Düsseldorf, Leverkusen, Königswinter, and Ratingen, was deployed to support large-scale forest and vegetation fires in the regions of Extremadura and Castile and León.
Upon arrival in Spain, the unit set up their base in the town of Aldeanueva del Camino (Extremadura) and began initial firefighting measures on August 20. The Spanish and French authorities supported with overnight accommodations and police escort to ensure a safe return journey.
Frank Frenser, Media Officer in the on-site team leadership, stated that the forces made a significant contribution to containing the fires and brought their experiences back to Germany for further use in forest fire management. The German forces were particularly challenged in the areas of the towns of La Bana and San Ciprian, where a large forest fire was spreading in hilly terrain.
The NRW Forest Fire Unit, known as GFFF-V DE1, is the first German, certified forest fire unit with fire vehicles registered with the European Union. The unit consists of components for leadership, fire vehicles, logistics, and catering. The fire vehicle component includes six highly mobile tank fire vehicles and two fire vehicles for disaster protection. The logistics component always includes an ambulance for medical care and a workshop vehicle with automotive specialists for immediate repairs.
The unit can deploy 23 deployment forces per shift around the clock in two shifts. The deployment forces receive a modularized special training in the tactical peculiarities of forest fire deployment and personal preparation for an EU foreign deployment.
The unit received support from deployment forces with forest fire tanker trucks from the state of Lower Saxony, experts from the @fire aid organization, and the Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe e.V. from Bonn. Upon their departure, the forces were accompanied by cheering people along the streets.
Press inquiries can be directed to the Fire and Rescue Service Bonn Press Office, David Bormann, at the provided contact information. GFFF-V DE1 is colloquially known as the "Forest Fire Module." The original content was transmitted via news aktuell by the Fire and Rescue Service Bonn. The deployment ended after a week of on-site operations and the return journey took place in three daily stages from August 27 to today.
