Fire Safety Watch; Recognition of In-House Personnel

To host events with increased fire hazards, the operator of a public gathering place must establish a fire safety team; furthermore, a fire department fire safety team must be present at every event held on large stages or performance areas with a floor area of more than 200 m².

A fire safety detail from the fire department is not required if the operator has a sufficient number of trained personnel to perform the duties of the fire safety detail and the fire protection office has confirmed this to the operator.

The fire safety authority in this context is part of the district administrative authority.

The following minimum requirements are deemed necessary for members of a fire safety team provided by the operator:

• Minimum age of 18 years,
• completed squad training (squad leader qualification),
• Knowledge of the locally responsible fire department,
• knowledge of the assembly venue (e.g., fire safety regulations, emergency notification plans, etc.).

The fire protection authority may impose additional requirements on the fire safety team.

Anyone who, in violation of the Assembly Venue Ordinance, fails to establish a fire safety detail or fails to ensure that a fire safety detail from the fire department is present, or who, in the case of events expected to attract more than 5,000 visitors, fails to notify the authority responsible for medical and emergency services in a timely manner, is committing an administrative offense. 

If the fire safety patrol is provided by a municipal fire department, the municipality may request reimbursement of the costs incurred.

administrative lawsuit