Federal army in Styria and Carinthia in disaster relief operations

2023-08-04 19:30:26

VM Tanner: “From the core task of military national defense to help for the population, our army is ready for our security around the clock”

Vienna (OTS) – The massive rainfall on Friday night caused mudslides and flooding in Styria and Carinthia. After the deployment in Carinthia with meanwhile 50 soldiers, 80 Styrian task forces of the federal army in south-eastern Styria have been helping to cope with the flood dangers since 5:00 p.m. today. A helicopter is in action in Carinthia.

“The rapid deployment of our soldiers shows that the Austrian population can always rely on the armed forces. They show again and again what and how much they can do – from the core task of military national defense to help for the population, our armed forces are ready for our security around the clock. Our top priority is rapid on-site assistance, which our soldiers provide in Carinthia and support the civilian emergency services. I would like to thank all the emergency organizations and especially the members of the armed forces, who are always ready to help where help is urgently needed,” said Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner.

“We are experiencing extraordinarily difficult hours and days in Styria – especially in the districts of Southeast Styria, Leibnitz and Deutschlandsberg. Several places had to be identified as disaster areas due to the persistent rain. More may follow. We have therefore decided to ask the army for support and to request assistance. We are grateful that this happened so quickly. Thank you to all soldiers deployed in Styria. Together with the countless helpers – especially the comrades of our volunteer fire brigades – they help to protect the people of Styria,” said the Governor of Styria, Christopher Drexler and his deputy Anton Lang.

Assistance assignment now also in Styria

Since 5:00 p.m., 80 soldiers have been deployed in south-eastern Styria. From the Strasser barracks, 30 emergency services support the local fire brigade in the Leibnitz area and 50 soldiers from the Feldbach barracks help in the Feldbach area to contain the flood situation – for example by filling sandbags.

Reinforcement of emergency services in Carinthia

While a total of 25 pioneer soldiers were still deployed in Carinthia in the morning hours, this was increased to 50 specialists from Carinthia over the course of the day due to the challenging situation. Ten disaster workers with heavy engineering equipment are currently deployed north of Eisenkappel. 20 pioneers support the fire brigade in the St. Paul im Lavanttal area and another 20 soldiers help the local emergency services around Viktring to set up flood barriers. An AB212 transport helicopter helps the emergency services from the air. Another three helicopters are ready for operations in Carinthia.

Soldiers help after natural disasters or major accidents

After natural disasters or particularly serious accidents, the army is on hand to help the population. The soldiers are deployed when the civilian aid workers alone are no longer sufficient, or when the military is needed to ensure the security of all citizens.

use before the disaster

Meteorologists, geologists and many other army specialists inform the armed forces around the clock about the weather situation and possible problematic developments. If necessary, the air force monitors endangered areas from the air, and disaster relief experts from the military commands are on site in the federal states.

Alert by civil authorities

If a catastrophe is imminent – for example due to persistent rain – the soldiers prepare in their barracks and stand by. To move out, there is always a request from civil authorities (federal, state or local).

The state warning centers are then responsible in their region and coordinate the use of the army in accordance with the helpers of the fire brigade and other organizations.