Official launch of the East Thuringia control center network

The large-scale project for the East Thuringia control center network can begin. This was sealed today by the representatives of the independent cities of Jena and Gera and the districts of Altenburg, Greiz, Saalfeld-Rudolstadt, Saale-Orla and Saale-Holzland with an administrative agreement. This was drawn up by the Thuringian Ministry of the Interior and Local Government and creates the binding framework for the establishment of a municipal partnership.

"I am very pleased that we were able to convince both the TMIK and the districts of Saalfeld-Rudolstadt and Saale-Orla with our concept of an East Thuringian control center at two locations - Jena and Gera," said Jena's head of security Benjamin Koppe. "The joint control center network not only increases the safety of the population, but also economic efficiency. This is already being recognized by the cost bearers of the rescue service, the health insurance companies, in the form of an increased control centre fee and now also by the Free State in the form of subsidies and consulting services."

"The fact that the efforts in East Thuringia are being generously supported and funded by the Free State creates the necessary room for manoeuvre and the organizational security to be able to reach the first milestones with the implementation this year," added Peter Schörnig, Head of Fire Service.

According to Koppe and Schörnig, this would not have been possible so quickly without the trusting cooperation with the city of Gera.

The state report on the control center network and location concept stipulates that the current number of 13 control centers should be reduced to 9. While individual districts insist on local self-administration, an agreement on future security was reached early on in Eastern Thuringia. The idea of establishing a control center at two locations - Jena and Gera - also convinced the TMIK. The project is being supported by the Free State with funding of up to 70% of the investment costs. A control center is also to be established in Eastern Thuringia, which will then ensure the uniform training of personnel.

In the picture, from left to right: Peter Schörnig, Head of Fire Service of the City of Jena / Thilo Schütz, Head of Fire and Disaster Protection of the City of Gera / Kurt Dannenberg, Mayor and Head of Finance, Security and Citizen Services of the City of Gera / Benjamin Koppe, Head of Finance, Security and Citizen Services of the City of Jena.