Initial situation
Münster, as a regional center in North Rhine-Westphalia with over 300,000 residents, has recognized the growing challenges in civil protection, particularly due to increasing extreme weather events, energy crises, and large-scale damage scenarios: Reliable preparedness planning ensures the necessary capacity of relevant actors in crises.
Objective
Lülf+ was commissioned to develop a comprehensive disaster response needs assessment plan that takes into account the city’s threat situation and provides a reliable foundation for strategic decisions.
Solution Approach/Process/Methodology
A hazard analysis was conducted in collaboration with the administration and fire department. In workshops, scenarios such as prolonged power outages, severe weather events, or pandemics were examined to derive relevant capabilities for disaster management. The methodology included a combination of risk analysis, quantitative needs assessment, and qualitative evaluation of response options. Building on this, a detailed inventory of existing capabilities was conducted.
In addition to the traditional competencies of emergency response, supplementary structures such as municipal crisis management, warning, information, care and supply of the population, as well as ensuring the core processes of the administration were the focus of consideration.
Measures Taken
A catalog of measures, which includes short-term achievable improvements (e.g., adjustment of alarm plans) and medium- to long-term investments (e.g., expansion of emergency power supply for critical infrastructure), describes the necessary adaptation measures.
Results / Successes / Client Feedback
The disaster response needs assessment plan enables the City of Münster to manage civil protection strategically and transparently. With the derived capabilities, the city is prepared for extraordinary situations and disasters and can respond appropriately. At the same time, the needs assessment plan strengthens cooperation between the involved organizations and creates a clear foundation for political decisions and investments.