German fire services ready emergency centers as heatwave hits Cologne and Berlin

In Cologne, authorities are preparing to reactivate a temporary emergency care centre (NVZ) in a Koelnmesse exhibition hall if the heat‑wave overwhelms hospitals. The decision will be based on real‑time service demand rather than a fixed temperature threshold, with the fire department able to deploy additional ambulances, rescue‑engine vehicles and medical staff to relieve emergency departments. The city also offers a heat‑wave portal and phone service to guide residents to cooling sites.

In Berlin, fire‑service spokesperson Vinzenz Kasch reports that the recent heat‑wave pushed daily emergency calls above 2,000, well beyond the typical 1,500, and that elevated call volumes have persisted. Personnel are stretched thin, with shortages of ambulances and aging fleet equipment, and the department relies heavily on volunteer firefighters. Kasch warns that hotter, longer heat periods are expected, requiring adjustments to deployment concepts and resources.

Both cities underscore that extreme heat is straining emergency medical and rescue services, prompting temporary facilities, increased staffing and calls for more resources to handle future heat events.