Hesse's 'Respect Package' fights back against attacks on emergency workers
Today, Interior Minister Roman Poseck and Interior State Secretary Martin Rößler are using this day to advocate for more respect and appreciation for the members of the 'Blaulicht' family, including police, firefighters, and emergency services, and to thank them for their work.
Members of emergency services deserve the highest respect and recognition
In his role as Interior Minister for the state of Hesse for over a year and a half, Roman Poseck has been impressed by the daily efforts of police officers, firefighters, and emergency service personnel to ensure the safety of the public. The police face significant challenges, with officers often exposed to dangerous situations and required to react appropriately in a short amount of time. Their work demands professionalism, assertiveness, empathy, and tact when dealing with citizens. Poseck has visited numerous police stations and observed that the police are capable of meeting these difficult demands and carry out their duties with great responsibility and care.
Firefighters also play a central role in ensuring the safety of society. During his many visits, Poseck has seen that both professional and volunteer firefighters approach their work with great dedication and expertise. In conversations with volunteers, it has become clear that they are passionate about their role and can be relied upon in an emergency. Their efforts, often at great risk to their own health, deserve the utmost respect and recognition.
The importance of disaster protection is increasing in the face of growing crises and natural disasters. The diversity and danger of deployments, such as wildfires or flood disasters, becomes particularly apparent during the summer months. The emergency services are well-equipped and work diligently to ensure that the population is protected as best as possible even in exceptional situations.
In light of the steadily increasing number of attacks on emergency services personnel in recent years, a 'Respect Package' was initiated in September 2024, including a 'Respect Week' around the 'Day of Respect' on September 18. During this week, Poseck will visit police, firefighting, and emergency service stations to discuss their jobs, daily challenges, concerns, and needs with the women and men working there. The more than 16,000 police officers, around 70,000 firefighters, and many members of the emergency services perform a service that is essential for the functioning of our society: they ensure our safety, provide medical assistance, rescue, extinguish fires, clear debris, and protect. The increase in harassment, insults, and violence against emergency services personnel in recent years is unacceptable. Therefore, Poseck welcomes the new federal government's consideration of stricter penalties for attacks on emergency services personnel, a demand he has been raising from Hesse for some time.
However, a clear signal is also needed from within society: anyone who attacks emergency services personnel stands outside our democratic coexistence. Everyone can contribute to this basic consensus by clearly opposing violence against emergency services personnel and treating the women and men of the 'Blaulicht' family with respect and appreciation. Their often already challenging job deserves recognition. Poseck has great respect for the consistently professional and reliable work of the emergency services personnel and would like to express his heartfelt thanks to them, especially on the 'Day of Respect'. Interior Secretary Martin Rößler: "Respect means high regard, recognition, and appreciation for the police, fire department, and rescue services. The Day of Respect puts their importance for each individual and society as a whole in the spotlight. The majority of people in Hesse stand behind the emergency services of our blue light family and appreciate their work in the service of public safety and order. Unfortunately, however, there are also people who do not see our emergency services as friends and helpers, but as targets for their aggression. We counter this as a state government with various measures and a pronounced culture of recognition. Many members of our blue light family serve voluntarily and sacrifice their valuable time and energy to help others. We support them to the best of our ability within our volunteer promotion and provide significant financial resources for modern equipment. We can be very grateful to have such well-trained and motivated emergency services in Hesse. From the bottom of my heart, I thank everyone who works for the security in our country.
Number of attacks on emergency services remains high
After the previous record high of victims among police, fire, and rescue services in 2023 (5,251), the number remained almost the same in 2024 with 5,240 victims. The number of victims among police officers increased by one (5,057), while the number of victims among firefighters decreased by nine (15), and the number of victims among rescue services decreased by three (168). Among the 2,589 criminal offenses against emergency services in 2024 (down by ten cases) were 1,194 attacks on law enforcement officers, 972 acts of resistance, 375 acts of violence, 15 offenses against sexual self-determination, 30 sexual insults, and three offenses against life.
To address this development and express their support, gratitude, and appreciation for the Hessian emergency services, the state government adopted a Respect Package for emergency services in September 2024. Among other things, it includes a social media campaign to promote more respect and recognition for their work. The Respect Package also includes measures to recognize the achievements of the members of the blue light family (e.g., increasing the police service allowance to 160 euros as of January 1, 2025), for timely equipment and the necessary powers of the emergency services (tripling the number of tasers; creating a legal basis for the use of body cameras by municipal law enforcement), and better criminal protection (introducing an initiative for higher penalties for attacks on emergency services in the Bundesrat). The Helpers' Festival for the Blue Light Family, which is taking place today, is also part of the Respect Package."}
