HOW TO PREPARE AS A CIVILIAN FOR A WAR IN GERMANY?

• Understand the type of threat you are facing. Do you live close to a nuclear power plant or military base? Are you in a dangerous area?
• Know where you can find shelter. Identify safe areas in your home or surroundings and plan ahead of time when you can go in case of an emergency.
• Keep emergency kits ready. These should include food, water, medication, and other important items.
• Learn the basics of first aid. In the event of an attack, you or others may sustain injuries that require immediate medical attention.
• Stay up to date on the situation. Follow the news and official government and military channels.
• Help other people. In times of crisis, it is essential to come together and support each other.

The beginning of the year 2022 started with a bang.

The Covid-19 pandemic may be weaker, but still present.

As if the pandemic weren’t burdening people enough around the world, now Russia is invading Ukraine.

Suddenly, there’s war in Europe and Berlin is only a 16-hour drive from Kiev.

The threat is not far away, so in this article, I want to discuss how you as a civilian can prepare for war.

WAR SURROUNDS US EVERY DAY, WHETHER WE BELIEVE IT OR NOT

As a civilian, it can be easy to get caught up in the everyday aspects of life.

We have our work, our families, and friends, and certainly a hobby, too.

But occasionally, we forget how much we can help our communities by participating in activities to prepare the civilian population for war.

War surrounds us every day, whether we believe it or not, and preparing the civilian population for war is one of the best ways to prepare people in the country as a whole.

I want to avoid creating fear, but rather alleviate fears. It becomes more real for you as you read this text, of course.

However, I believe we can’t turn a blind eye to the global wars. Anything else would-be denial, and imagine something really happens, and you’re not prepared.

So let’s take a look at some activities outside of combat that you can participate in to ensure everyone is prepared.

Here are my tips for preparing for war as a civilian.

WHAT KIND OF THREAT ARE YOU FACING?

The first step is to understand what kind of threat you are facing.

• Do you live in an area where there is a nuclear power plant? (How to prepare for it?)
• Are there military bases or other facilities nearby that could be targets for attack?
• Are you in hazardous areas, such as a valley with a dam?

Once you have identified your potential threat, it’s time to start preparing.

GENERAL BEHAVIOR

Whether there is a war or another disaster, there are rules that you should follow that will help you and your community.

• Help children and other needy people, but without endangering yourself.
• Follow the instructions of official authorities and emergency personnel.
• Regularly inform yourself through radio, television, and the internet – but from reliable sources, such as the authorities.

1. KNOWING WHERE TO FIND SHELTER

Even if you live in an area where there are currently few active threats, it is still important to know where protected areas are located.

You may need to seek shelter in your home or apartment or evacuate to a more fortified building.

If you seek protection at home, you should go to an interior room without windows and with as few exterior walls as possible. In the event of an explosion, glass surfaces can shatter from the pressure wave and cause injury.

If you are affected by an attack and hear the sirens, evacuate to the designated shelter and be sure to take your emergency kit with you, including extra food, water, blankets, a first aid kit, and all necessary medication. Currently, €88 million has been allocated for the installation of warning sirens¹.

If you are outside or commuting to work at the time of the alarm, find a safe building as quickly as possible. This could be a hospital, fire station, police building, or school, as these buildings are often not the target of attacks.

You can plan which location would be an ideal refuge or whether there are any shelters, such as bunkers, on your commute or in your residential area. However, air raid shelters in Germany are in short supply. Only 599 public shelters remain¹. However, Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser is currently reviewing the status and states “We will examine whether there are more such systems that we could strengthen. The dismantling has in any case been stopped.”¹.

Look for underground parts of buildings, such as subway stations, underground garages or reinforced concrete basements. You can inquire about local shelters with your municipal administration…