Initial situation
Like many metropolitan fire departments, the Bremen Fire Department faces the challenge of reconciling increasing operational demands, rising population figures, and growing urban density with modern standards of fire and disaster protection. The generally strained budgetary situations of municipalities and significant structural needs of fire stations and firehouses further complicate finding a compromise between safety and feasibility.
Against this background, the City of Bremen commissioned a comprehensive expert report that addresses both fire protection requirements planning and the organizational structures of the professional fire department and civil protection.
Objective
The project’s objective was to develop a new, future-proof fire protection requirements plan for the City of Bremen. In addition to requirements planning, the organizational structures of the professional fire department were to be examined, and existing civil protection structures evaluated.
The expert report was intended to provide concrete recommendations for action to ensure the long-term operational capability and strategic positioning of the fire department.
Solution Approach/Process/Methodology
Lülf+ conducted the project in close cooperation with the Bremen Fire Department and the Department of the Interior.
An interdisciplinary team of requirements planners, organizational consultants, and civil protection experts developed a comprehensive analysis of the hazard and risk situation, deployment frequencies, and organizational and structural conditions, based on current professional recommendations.
Measures Taken
- Implementation of a complete fire protection requirements plan in accordance with current professional recommendations.
- Organizational review of the professional fire department with a focus on personnel structure, shift models, and future capacity requirements.
- Analysis of civil protection structures and their integration with the fire department organization.
- Development of differentiated planning objectives to be adopted as a local ordinance in the future.
- Identification and prioritization of structural needs for action within the professional fire department and volunteer fire department.
- Recommendation for structural further development in the city center to improve the
distribution of fire stations. - Planning of 50 additional positions for the professional fire department and stronger integration of the volunteer fire department into the operational structure.
Results / Successes / Client Feedback
The expert report forms the basis for the new fire protection requirements plan, which positions the Bremen Fire Department for the future in terms of organization, personnel, and infrastructure.
The key recommendations were presented at a press conference on April 22, 2025, and received broad media attention.
The City of Bremen now has a clearly defined, strategically sound concept to sustainably ensure the protection of its population and secure the long-term operational capability of the fire department.