FLORIAN 2026: Bundeswehr Seeks Connection with Saxony's Rescue Services

<p>The FLORIAN trade fair in Dresden celebrates its 25th anniversary this year – and thus attracts not only firefighters, but also the Bundeswehr. Colonel Marco Tkotz, Commander of the State Command Saxony, used the trade fair visit to seek exchange with civil rescue organizations and further strengthen cooperation in civil protection.</p><h2>Anniversary edition with broad exhibitor spectrum</h2><p>From October 8-10, 2026, MESSE DRESDEN will once again transform into the central meeting point for fire departments, civil protection and disaster management in Germany. With <strong>over 370 exhibitors from 11 countries</strong>, FLORIAN has impressively confirmed its status as one of the leading trade fairs in the industry. The specialist program includes <strong>over 100 contributions</strong> – from the respiratory protection conference to the specialist conference on water rescue services to the specialist conference on special situations, where current deployment analyses of the New Year's deployment activities in Crans-Montana in Switzerland were presented, among other things.</p><p>New to the program are free workshops on topics such as technical rescue, fire department operations on trucks and threat scenarios. Technical agricultural aid also offers practical insights: daily live training provides safe handling of rescue equipment in accidents involving large agricultural machinery.</p><h3>Bundeswehr as an important partner in civil protection</h3><p>The visit by Colonel Marco Tkotz underscores the role the Bundeswehr now plays in civil protection. Joint exercises and administrative assistance operations during floods, forest fires or other major incidents make close coordination between military and civilian actors necessary. FLORIAN provides the ideal platform for this: here, decision-makers from the fire department, rescue service, police, Technical Relief Organization and the Bundeswehr meet to make contacts and explore cooperation opportunities.</p><h2>Crisis communication and forest fire fighting in focus</h2><p>Another focus of the anniversary trade fair is crisis communication. Meißen district presents practical technology with the KriKom-LK-MEI project in Hall 3, including a crisis communication case and a multifunctional siren. Visitors can obtain direct information here on modern solutions for warning and informing the population in case of crisis.</p><p>Since eastern Germany is increasingly regarded as forest fire country, FLORIAN 2026 is also intensively addressing vegetation fire fighting. In the newly established WaldbrandCamp, operations from last summer are evaluated and linked with the presentation of the latest extinguishing technology – including high-performance fire extinguishing vehicles for large-scale deployment.</p><h3>Technical innovations and trade fair premieres</h3><p>Three manufacturers are using FLORIAN 2026 for their trade fair premiere: a new fire-fighting vehicle concept, a CBRN emergency aid kit and an air lighting system are being presented. Merlo Deutschland also showcases a telescopic handler specially developed for disaster and civil protection. At the joint trade fair stand of the professional fire departments of Berlin, Leipzig and Dresden, specialist visitors can also view the <strong>first fully electric aerial ladder truck in Germany</strong> – a clear signal of the advancing electrification of emergency vehicles.</p><p>For junior staff, the Fire & Rescue Games of the Working Group of Fire Departments in Rescue Services (AG FReDi) provide additional excitement: for the first time, the competitions will take place in the open field 5, in the middle of the trade fair activities. Prospective professional firefighters compete in disciplines such as door opening, technical assistance, patient care and resuscitation.</p><h2>Conclusion and outlook</h2><p>With its 25th edition, FLORIAN impressively demonstrates how civil protection in Germany continues to develop: towards greater networking between civilian and military actors, towards innovative technology such as electric aerial ladder trucks and towards a stronger focus on crisis communication and vegetation fire fighting. The Bundeswehr's presence at the trade fair makes clear that exchange between organizations will continue to gain importance in the future. FLORIAN thus remains a central driver of innovation for the future of hazard prevention in Germany.</p>