Politicians annoyed by farm WK in Eschenbach SG: can civil protection realize private projects?

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During the refresher course (WK) civil protection rehabilitate the farm of a farmer from the municipality – is the civil protection allowed to do that? Discussions on this topic just keep coming. Also in connection with civil defense or army operations at major events such as the Zurich Marathon or the ski races on the Lauberhorn in Wengen BE.

However, the case of Eschenbach SG is particularly explosive. 45 civil protection pioneers renovating and refurbishing a private farm purely for training purposes causes a lot of misunderstanding. Especially with politicians.

Two criteria for a Civil Protection World Cup

A Civil Protection World Cup really only has one goal: to repeat and practice possible tasks in case of an emergency. It is therefore mainly about preparing civil protection for a possible calamity. If you do this, as in the case of Eschenbach SG, on the basis of a specific project, then it should benefit the general public or community.

SP National Council member and member of the Security Policy Committee (SIK-N), Priska Seiler Graf, (54) does not see this in the Eschenbach SG case. “I find this story very strange. When it comes to renovating a private farm, I see neither the educational nature nor any benefit to the general public,” she said when asked by Blick.

Senior Civil Protection is not satisfied

The FDP national councilor and chairman of the Swiss civil protection association Maja Riniker (45) is also not happy with the news from St. Gallen. “The fact that such a project is carried out as part of a civil protection workshop is relatively difficult and should be agreed in advance with all departments involved. Civil protection thus competes with local construction companies,’ says Riniker to Blick.

She points out that the canton has specially equipped practice rooms for this purpose. She demands a full hearing of the case in Eschenbach SG. “I am not happy with this story. The matter needs to be carefully investigated and clarified,” Riniker continued.

Staff shortages and merger proposals

The story is extra explosive because civil protection has been complaining about staff shortages for some time. Fewer and fewer young men are entering civil protection, already falling short of the target minimum of 72,000 active civil protection officers.

The Federal Council has therefore asked the Federal Office for Defence, Civil Protection and Sports (DDPS) to examine new recruitment procedures by the end of 2024. Among other things, conscription for women is being looked into. In addition, a possible merger of Civil Protection and Civil Service is controversially discussed. (sq)

Source:Blick