Bundeswehr and Werra-Meißner District: New partnership for disaster protection

Bundeswehr and Werra-Meißner District: New partnership for disaster protection

A new partnership between the Werra-Meißner district and the Bundeswehr could be of great importance for the citizens in the region. On June 12, 2025, the district administration signed an explanatory agreement that provides for support from the Bundeswehr in an emergency. The HNA reports that the agreement aims to relieve civilian authorities when they reach their limits. Forest fires, power outages, pandemics and possible troop shifts in the event of a NATO alliance are the core scenarios in which flexible cooperation is intended.

In the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021, the Bundeswehr has already demonstrated its support services in the region when 110 soldiers volunteered to support old people's homes and health authorities. A district liaison command, which acts as an expert advisor to the Bundeswehr in disaster control, will continue to assist the responsible authorities in the future. There are almost 450 such commands in Germany, which contribute regional knowledge and advise the leadership groups when it matters.

Securing the home area

The Bundeswehr’s homeland security is a central element in this context. According to Wikipedia) it serves to protect Germany and its citizens outside of cases of tension and defense. The development of these forces began in 1961, but with the end of the Cold War they were largely decommissioned by 1993. However, there has been a revival in recent years, most recently resulting in all homeland security companies belonging to six homeland security regiments under the command of the Army from April 2025.

There are currently around 51,000 reservists in Germany, of which around 7,000 belong to homeland security. Some of these reservists are former active soldiers or have received special military training for the reserve. The target strength of a homeland security company is 135 soldiers, and around 4,000 posts are planned throughout Germany. The Bundeswehr hopes that the new partnership in the Werra-Meißner district will increase the number of interested reservists.

Invitation to recruits

A special invitation also goes out to career changers: According to NDR, people without previous Bundeswehr experience are also welcome, provided they are between 18 and 45 years old, are physically fit and accept the free-democratic basic order. The training includes theory, shooting training, sporting activities and practical behavior in the field. Various locations have been set up for the homeland security companies in Lower Saxony, and those responsible plan 18 to 24 training and exercise days every year.

This initiative could not only make the Werra-Meißner district safer, but also provide an opportunity to get involved in a meaningful area and serve the community. The civilian job of the volunteer home guards remains unchanged, and employers simply need to be informed. The service's remuneration could be an additional argument for many to choose homeland security.