The Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (BBK for short) has updated the "Recommendations for Common Regulations on the Use of Drones in Civil Protection" (EGRED for short), taking into account the far-reaching changes in national and European law.
The "Recommendations for Common Regulations for the Use of Drones in Civil Protection" are the basis for safe and effective drone operations by non-police authorities and organisations with security tasks (BOS for short) or on their behalf.
The cross-organisational application of the EGRED is intended to ensure that operations, training and exercises are carried out according to the same minimum standards nationwide in order to ensure safety on the ground and in the air.
"The first edition of the EGRED already showed how valuable the BBK's initiative is for the safe and effective use of drones in civil protection. The updated edition of the EGRED therefore continues to ensure the effective and standardised cooperation of the various players, especially in large and complex emergencies," explains BBK President Ralph Tiesler.
The EGRED 2
The completely revised new edition takes into account the far-reaching changes in national and European law. It also explains the resulting requirements for the emergency services and takes into account the practical experience gained since then. EGRED 2 contains a number of innovations resulting from the increasingly complex legal, technical and operational framework conditions.
These include, among others
- Consideration of the further development of EU drone law: Even if the BOS are not formally bound by EU drone law, the safety objectives pursued with it must be given due consideration.
- It is therefore recommended that the BOS familiarise themselves with the provisions of EU law, apply them and only deviate from them in exceptional cases in the interests of the success of the operation (taking proportionality into account).
- Use of new procedures for risk assessment: The new framework conditions of EU law include, in particular, the "categorisation" of drone operations and risk assessment using the SORA method. The EGRED applies this to the special features of BOS operations.
- Special training requirements: Due to the increased risk involved in BOS drone operations, BOS are recommended to ensure or organise specific training for their "drone controllers". A corresponding training concept is included in EGRED 2 for this purpose.
- Arrangements for the simultaneous deployment of rescue and police helicopters: Preparatory arrangements must be made with the control centres or other services involved for coordination at the scene.
EGRED 2 represents an important milestone for the safe and effective use of drones in civil defence. Above all, they contribute to increasing the safety of the emergency services and the population.
Interdisciplinary dialogue for the revision of EGRED
The complete revision of the recommendations was achieved thanks to the expertise and voluntary commitment of all stakeholders involved.
In addition to the BBK as the technical coordinating body, the Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund Deutschland, the Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Leiter der Berufsfeuerwehren in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland, the Technische Hilfswerk, the Deutsche Gesellschaft zur Rettung Schiffbrüchiger, the Deutsche Lebens-Rettungs-Gesellschaft, the Deutsche Feuerwehrverband, the Deutsche Rote Kreuz, the Johanniter, the Malteser and the Vereinigung zur Förderung des Deutschen Brandschutzes were also involved.
In addition, the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport Affairs (BMDV), the Federal Aviation Office (LBA), German Air Traffic Control (DFS), various other federal and state aviation authorities, various state police forces, the federal police and air rescue organisations such as ADAC and DRF were involved in extensive coordination and comment procedures.
This cooperation has promoted an interdisciplinary dialogue, which is essential for the understanding and effective implementation of EGRED.
