Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner (ÖVP) and the Association of Municipalities President Alfred Riedl signed a declaration of intent on Monday, which not only improves the exchange of information, but also intensifies cooperation in relation to risk and disaster management. In the future, a contact person for the armed forces is to be defined in each municipal council. In the interests of comprehensive national defense, the armed forces will provide information officers for lectures on the position system, defense and security issues as well as current threats. Subsequently, these lectures will also be offered at community events. This gives citizens first-hand information.
In addition, exercises and concepts for risk and disaster prevention as well as dealing with these events are to be worked on together. This is intended to institutionalize and intensify ongoing communication and cooperation between the armed forces and the municipalities, Tanner announced at a press conference with Riedl in Vienna.
Cooperation as the key to success
“Cooperation with the municipalities is and will remain the key to success for assignments in the region. We are intensifying the cooperation so that we are as well prepared as possible for the challenges ahead,” said Tanner. Both the municipalities and the armed forces were challenged more than they have been for a long time. With the intensification of the cooperation, the armed forces should be strengthened as part of the culture and structure in the communities.
The armed forces have shown, especially through the Covid-19 pandemic, how important the cooperation between the army and the communities is. The soldiers provided support with testing in the communities, but also with immigration controls. At peak times, up to 8,000 soldiers were deployed. Even in disaster operations, such as floods, it is important that the armed forces and municipalities work together, says Tanner.
Riedl remembered the floods in 2002, which people remembered to this day. It was noticed in the communities that one had to prepare for threat scenarios such as blackouts. Riedl explained that the signed letter of intent should help with the help of the Armed Forces professionals.
