Since the large-scale power outage in southwest Berlin, the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) has been working continuously to mitigate the impacts on the population and critical infrastructure. The main focus of the operation is emergency power supply, particularly for hospitals, nursing and care facilities, as well as other essential services.
Following the power outage on 3 January 2026, THW units from 27 local branches were deployed. For several days now, more than 550 volunteer emergency responders have been working in shifts to maintain vital services. Emergency power is being supplied not only to hospitals and care facilities, but also to emergency shelters, a veterinary clinic, and power feed-in points of Berlin’s urban rail system (S-Bahn).
To assess further needs, two reconnaissance teams are operating in close coordination with the Berlin Fire Brigade in the affected area, identifying additional facilities that require emergency power. At the same time, THW units ensure the continuous operation of generators by refueling emergency power systems.
In addition, THW volunteers are operating emergency call reception points in several districts of Berlin and the surrounding area. These stations provide information to residents and enable emergency calls to be transmitted by radio to the fire brigade. Emergency shelters have also been set up to accommodate residents affected by the power outage.
To support on-site command structures, THW liaison officers have been deployed to assist the Berlin Fire Brigade’s incident command. Operational coordination is managed via a staging area at the THW local branch Berlin Steglitz-Zehlendorf, with close cooperation between THW, the fire brigade, and the police. Responders from the THW regional associations of Berlin, Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, and Bremen/Lower Saxony are currently involved, while specialized units from other regions are on standby if required.
THW President Sabine Lackner praised the commitment of the volunteers: “Since the beginning of the power outage, our volunteers have been delivering outstanding work. With great expertise and tireless dedication, they are ensuring that critical infrastructure continues to function and that people receive support in a difficult situation.”
The Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW) is Germany’s federally mandated, volunteer-based civil protection organization. Around 88,000 volunteers nationwide form the backbone of its work. With its technical expertise and extensive experience, THW is deployed both nationally and internationally on behalf of the German government, including within the framework of the European Union’s civil protection mechanism and on missions for United Nations organizations.
Further information on THW’s national and international activities is available here.
(Image source: THW)