East Thuringia control center network visits Stadtroda fire department

On Tuesday, 24.06.2025, the East Thuringia control center network met at the Stadtroda fire department for its regular meeting, which was attended by Gera's Lord Mayor Kurt Dannenberg (CDU) and Jena's Mayor and Head of Finance, Security and Citizen Services Benjamin Koppe (CDU) as well as representatives from the districts of Saalfeld-Rudolstadt, Saale-Holzland-Kreis, Saale-Orla-Kreis, Greiz and Altenburger Land and the East Thuringia Rescue Service Association.

The focus of the meeting was on the progress of the joint control center project "PiLOT.112." As part of this project, the complete and redundant networking of the two control centers in Jena and Gera is to be implemented by 2030. At the same time, the Free State of Thuringia has defined new legal requirements for the central control centers. In addition to staffing requirements, these also include specifications for the structural and technical infrastructure. The Free State of Thuringia has issued a new funding guideline to support the necessary measures.

Gera's Lord Mayor Kurt Dannenberg explained: "The new legal regulations pose considerable challenges for all Thuringian control centers. Nevertheless, they are an important step, as their introduction has laid down binding requirements on the part of the state of Thuringia. These were long overdue. The legal basis that is now available creates the essential prerequisites for sustainably improving the safety infrastructure throughout Thuringia and making it fit for the future. We will therefore actively support these requirements and make our contribution."

Jena's mayor and head of security Benjamin Koppe added: "The future-oriented implementation of the structural reform with an efficient and economic focus is crucial for both the quality of the control centers and the safety of the population. With the new funding guideline, the Free State has created the necessary financial support for this ambitious project. The funds are essential for the implementation of this ambitious project. Furthermore, the East Thuringia control center network is not a bureaucratic construct, it is a central security structure for the region. Speed counts, especially in critical situations, and we can only achieve this through close, structured cooperation at municipal level."

In order for the funding to actually be utilized, the two cities of Jena and Gera must first conclude a new special purpose agreement on cooperation. This document is already in the process of being approved by the municipal bodies. This means that concrete specialist planning can begin this year.

Background:
The "PiLOT.112" control centre project aims to optimize the emergency number 112 in Eastern Thuringia by setting modern standards for control centres in Jena and Gera, meeting KRITIS requirements, ensuring a high standard of quality, guaranteeing mutual representation and redundancy and providing support during periods of high demand due to overflowing emergency calls. In addition, the implementation of a joint operations control and communication system is planned.

Viele Menschen stehen vor einer Feuerwache und schauen in die Kamera.

Vertreterinnen und Vertreter des Leitstellenverbunds Ostthüringen bei ihrer Sitzung am 24. Juni 2025 in der Feuerwache Stadtroda.