Frankfurt braces for major civil defence drill with military helicopters

Helicopters, sirens, and emergency crews will take over Frankfurt's old industrial park this weekend. Here's what locals need to know about the rare three-day drill.

, and Administrator

2026 March 19 . 11:07 AM

1 min read

The image shows a helicopter flying over a large building that has been destroyed by fire, with... — The image shows a helicopter flying over a large building that has been destroyed by fire, with smoke billowing out of it. In the background, there are many buildings, vehicles on the road, and trees. At the bottom of the image, there is text.

Noise due to disaster response drill in Frankfurt - Frankfurt braces for major civil defence drill with military helicopters

A large-scale civil defence exercise will take place at Frankfurt's former Griesheim industrial park from March 20 to 22. The event involves multiple emergency organisations, including the German Armed Forces, and will include helicopter operations over the weekend. Residents in the area have been advised to expect some disruptions during this time.

The exercise begins on Friday at 2 p.m. and runs until Sunday at 2 p.m. Two Bundeswehr helicopters will operate throughout the period, contributing to noise levels in the surrounding area. A toll-free hotline (0800-8620730) has been set up for locals to ask questions or report concerns about military flight activity.

Eight organisations are participating, including the Bundeswehr, the German Red Cross (DRK), the Workers' Samaritan Federation (ASB), and the Technical Relief Agency (THW). Emergency vehicles will be active in the area, leading to increased traffic and potential delays. This is the first civil defence exercise of its kind in the past five years. No other German state has conducted a similar large-scale drill involving the military at a former industrial site since 2021.

The exercise aims to test coordination between emergency services and military units. Residents near the Griesheim site may experience temporary noise and traffic disruptions. Authorities have provided a hotline for any questions or complaints related to the event.