Large-scale training sequence initiates in NRW, marking 75 years of public service

Large-scale training sequence initiates in NRW, marking 75 years of public service - THW embarks on extensive exercise series

The Technical Relief Agency (THW) in North Rhine-Westphalia has commenced a significant exercise series titled "FUELEx25" with a large performance showcase at the Zeche Zollverein site.

The event, held in Essen, marked the start of a series of four exercise weekends, with around 3,500 deployment forces from almost all 127 North Rhine-Westphalian THW local associations participating.

The THW State Representative for North Rhine-Westphalia, Nicolas Hefner, welcomed numerous representatives of the security authorities, police and military, fire services, and aid organizations, several hundred honorary and full-time THW leaders and helpers to the THW EXPO.

The largest part of the services provided by the THW is done by unpaid, voluntary commitment. As a token of gratitude, a colorful evening, funded by the THW Federal and State Association ("We help those who help"), took place as the culmination of the "Blue Birthday Party."

Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of the Interior, Christoph de Vries, emphasized that the THW is the operational authority of the federal government in civil protection. He also announced that the THW budget will be strengthened by around one billion euros in the coming years.

The THW encourages the public to visit the THW EXPO, where numerous representatives of security authorities, police and military, fire services, and aid organizations, as well as several hundred honorary and full-time THW leaders and helpers, will be present.

The first major exercise of the series will take place in Mönchengladbach on August 30, 2025, with around 400 deployment forces focusing on infrastructure, drinking water supply, detection, shoring, securing the deployment site, and bridge building.

On September 13th and 20th, 2025, the "Rescue" and "Emergency Care and Emergency Repair" groups will demonstrate their capabilities in various scenarios involving the rescue and recovery of people, animals, and property in Mönchengladbach.

The exercise focusing on "water" will occur on September 6, 2025, involving around 750 deployment forces in Mönchengladbach and on the Rhine in Düsseldorf and Duisburg. They will train skills in connection with hazards on the water, flooding, and electrical power supply, clearing, and aerial reconnaissance.

Various specialist groups from NRW provided insights into the practical work of the Technical Relief Agency, including demonstrations on "Flood Protection", Heavy Rescue, Diving Rescue, and Detection. The performance showcase was rounded off by presentations from the THW Youth e.V., the youth organization of the THW.

The three THW special groups involved in the FUELEx25 training weekends in North Rhine-Westphalia are the Technical Assistance Group, the Combat Engineers Group, and the Heavy Rescue Group. The exercises take place in the cities of Cologne, Düsseldorf, and Dortmund.

For those interested in attending the exercise weekends, registration should be done by Thursday before each weekend using the provided press contact details: Julian Posse/Anna Wachowski, who can be reached at +49 2103-7910-121 or [email protected].

Vice-President Dierk Hansen emphasized the outstanding importance of the work of the THW, especially in the face of crises and natural disasters. The THW invites the public to witness the work of the agency during one of the exercise weekends and encourages reporting on the events.

Large-scale training sequence initiates in NRW, marking 75 years of public service - THW embarks on extensive exercise series