By Stephen Peter
While the “Berlin brennt” association set fire to a barrel in front of the Red City Hall in protest against the catastrophic conditions at the fire brigade, a dispute rages on as to whether a Green politician is using the accidental death of a girl (15) for the election campaign.
Two young people were run over by a BVG bus in Lankwitz at the weekend. The 15-year-old died in hospital. “During the pandemic, motorized private transport has declined due to home office and illnesses,” wrote Green MP Janosch Dahmen (41) on Twitter. “With the return of traffic, fatal accidents also came back.”
Criticism comes from CDU MP Jan-Marco Luczak (47): “Anyone who exploits the tragic accidental death of a young girl reveals a lack of empathy and piety. In addition, a bus was involved in the accident, i.e. non-motorized private transport. Ideology makes you blind.”
The ambulance only arrived at the scene of the accident on Leonorenstraße 20 minutes after the emergency call – and once again reveals the chaos in the rescue center of the Berlin fire brigade. A reform has so far failed because of the Greens, who reject corresponding plans by the interior administration. Health Senator Ulrike Gote (57, Greens) in particular is slowing down.
Manuel Barth (51), Vice-Chairman of the German Fire Brigade Union, is outraged: “Ms. Gote has to come to terms with reality and recognize the resources the fire brigade has!” Short-term changes are needed to compensate for the shortage in the fire brigade. “After the election, extensive reforms are needed.”
Health expert Florian Kluckert (47, FDP) sees another problem: While training as an emergency paramedic is also possible part-time in Brandenburg, this is not possible in the capital. “Berlin is therefore letting a lot of potential go to waste,” said Kluckert to the BZ. “I have absolutely no understanding of that. Ms. Gote must finally act!”