Firefighters injured
Verdi calls for more protection for emergency services after attacks
January 1, 2024, 12:43 p.m
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Compared to last year, New Year’s Eve went smoothly for police officers and firefighters. However, their use is dangerous. They are attacked several times and occasionally injured. The Verdi union finds this outrageous and is demanding more protection and help from employers.
After the recent attacks on emergency services on New Year’s Eve, the Verdi union has called on employers to take better protective measures. The service union explained that they would have to “fulfill their duties of care towards their employees significantly more”. New Year’s Eve “showed particularly clearly the violence that many public sector employees are exposed to.”
“Violence against public sector employees must under no circumstances be accepted as an occupational risk,” emphasized Verdi deputy chairwoman Christine Behle. “We call on employers and employers to document and report attacks against emergency services, to provide those affected with legal protection from criminal prosecution and to accept unenforceable claims for compensation for pain and suffering.”
Verdi pointed out that the fire brigades and rescue services had again come under fire from rockets and firecrackers or were otherwise attacked on New Year’s Eve. Vice-Chairwoman Behle criticized it as “outrageous that the people who rescue us from dangerous situations in an emergency, put out fires or provide us with medical care are being attacked.”
Injured in Hanover and Bremerhaven
According to the responsible authorities, New Year’s Eve in Berlin and other major cities was relatively mild – but by no means peaceful. In the capital, police reported 15 injured officers, but all but one were able to continue their duties. The Berlin fire department also reported several attacks on its emergency services. As a result, there were no injuries.
In Hanover, however, emergency services in the Buchholz district were pelted with fireworks while extinguishing a burning paper container, as the Hanover fire department announced. A firefighter was injured and transported to a hospital. In Bremerhaven, according to the local fire department, several people shot fireworks towards emergency services during a fire operation on New Year’s Eve. Two firefighters were injured and treated in a clinic.
Also in Hanover, several people threatened firefighters during a firefighting operation on New Year’s Eve and also attacked a fire engine, the police said. They threw stones at it and beat it with iron bars. Nobody got hurt.