German civil protection includes the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW), the fire department, the German Red Cross, the Malteser, as well as water rescue and pastoral care services. Flashlights and bright spotlights are mainly used.
What are the tasks of civil protection?
In Germany, disaster control is always deployed when the damage situation is so great that the forces of the regular rescue service and fire department are not sufficient to effectively combat the disaster or the impending damage and protect the population.
The tasks of civil protection include preventive work and preparing for disasters. A rapid response to the disaster and combating it are also key. This also includes search and rescue operations, medical care for the injured, the provision of emergency shelters and the provision of basic necessities such as food and clean water.
After the immediate crisis management, the long-term recovery phase begins. The aim of fire and disaster protection is to rebuild the affected areas and improve people's living conditions. This includes rebuilding destroyed infrastructure, restoring services and helping people to cope psychologically with the events.
Response and recovery often involves power outages, field operations or working in difficult conditions. In all of these cases, professional lighting is important to combat the disaster and the damage caused.
Which professional lamps are used in the event of a disaster?
The right lighting is essential for many areas. Different requirements often need special lighting.
Searchlights
Searchlights are powerful and are used especially in search and rescue operations to illuminate large areas. These devices are useful when searching for missing persons in extensive, confusing areas such as forests or in the event of large-scale accidents and natural disasters.
XP30R
The XP30R is the most powerful handheld searchlight from Ledlenser and turns night into day with its 32,000 lumens in boost mode and the still extremely bright 24,000 lumens in power mode. If you need an extremely bright portable searchlight for your work, this model is definitely a good choice:
- Luminous flux: up to 32,000 lumens in boost mode
- Lighting range: up to 2000 meters in boost mode
- Lighting time: up to 16 hours in the lowest mode
- Charging time: 80 minutes
- Waterproofing: IP54
Tent lights
Tent lights are specially designed for lighting temporary accommodation such as tents or emergency shelters. They are also well suited as camping lighting. They are used in disaster relief when evacuation camps are set up after natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods or hurricanes.
AT10C Work
The AT10C Work is a powerful task light that can be easily attached to tents, scaffolding or ceilings. The wired spotlight has 5 light levels and a high level of protection against water and dust:
- Luminous flux: up to 5000 lumens
- Lighting range: 100 meters
- Impermeability: IP67
Flashlights
The light of a bright flashlight is needed in many situations. It is used to provide light during power outages, night-time rescue operations and in poorly lit environments. Rescue services, police forces and fire departments carry flashlights as standard during operations, especially when searching for survivors in collapsed buildings or in dark debris fields after earthquakes.
Construction floodlights
Construction floodlights provide intense illumination and are therefore ideal for use in large-scale disaster areas where strong lighting is required. These floodlights are often used after earthquakes or other major destruction to illuminate debris fields and ensure the safety of rescue teams during night work.
What needs to be considered when choosing the right lighting for a disaster?
Disaster relief organizations require professional lighting that differs from conventional light sources. Various aspects such as lumen (luminous flux), battery life, weight and IP protection class play a key role.
- Lumen (luminous flux): The luminous flux, measured in lumens, indicates how brightly a lamp shines. A higher lumen figure means more light, which is important in extensive or dark areas. For rescue operations at night or in darkness, such as in collapsed buildings, powerful light sources are required to ensure adequate visibility. When selecting equipment, attention should therefore be paid to a high lumen output to meet the requirements of emergency situations.
When searching for people, large areas need to be brightly illuminated. Special searchlights are available for this purpose, such as the XP30R with 32,000 lumens. - Battery life: In the event of a disaster, there is often no reliable power supply available, so the battery life of the light sources is important. Devices with long runtimes or the ability to quickly replace batteries are advantageous. A rechargeable flashlight with a long battery life ensures that emergency services can work without interruption even during longer operations.
For lighting emergency shelters or tents where a power supply is guaranteed, the battery life plays a minor role. Devices that only work with a power connection and do not have a battery are also suitable here. The AT10C Work, for example, delivers a continuous 5,000 lumens with a power connection.
- Weight: The weight of the lighting equipment is important when emergency services have to transport the equipment over long distances. Lightweight materials and compact designs are advantageous in order to be able to carry the equipment for a long time. A low weight is particularly important for personal equipment such as flashlights.
For stationary operations, robust and large headlamps are an advantage. The weight is not important here. - Protection class (IP protection class): The protection class, given as an IP code (Ingress Protection), describes how well the lighting is protected against the ingress of dust and liquids. In disaster scenarios where water and dirt are common, devices with high IP ratings (e.g. IP67 or IP68) are required.
These offer full protection against dust and allow submersion in water. This is an advantage in the event of flooding or heavy rain. - Additional criteria: In addition to the aspects mentioned above, robustness and resistance to physical impact should also be taken into account. Lighting units for disaster relief should be protected against knocks and falls in order to function reliably even in harsh environments.
The ability to regulate the light intensity or select different lighting modes (such as flashing or SOS signals) is also beneficial in emergencies. In addition, the devices should meet safety standards and not get too hot or break quickly.
Which civil protection organizations require special lighting?
Civil protection in Germany includes various organizations such as the Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW), the fire department, the German Red Cross, Malteser and other NGOs. Also involved are specialized groups such as water rescue, pastoral services and authorities at municipal and state level, which work together to provide assistance in emergencies and disasters. Each group has specific tasks that entail different requirements.
Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW)
The THW is often entrusted with tasks such as rescuing buried victims and providing technical support in major emergencies. Searchlights are often used for this purpose in order to be able to work effectively at night or in poorly lit ruins. Powerful stationary searchlights are used to illuminate large areas.
The XP30R searchlight offers several extremely powerful LEDs for rescuing people, which enable long-range visibility over very long distances. The light is focused in such a way that there is no glare. Special headlamps, such as the H19R Core with 3,500 lumens, are also used here.
Fire department
In their role in fighting fires and rescuing people from dangerous situations, the fire department needs versatile lighting. Emergency vehicles are often equipped with powerful integrated floodlights that are ready for immediate use. Portable, heat-resistant headlamps are important for seeing through smoke and darkness.
Specialized helmet lights allow firefighters to have both hands free, which is essential when rescuing and using rescue equipment. Many Ledlenser flashlights can be attached to a helmet with a helmet mount. The EX series includes angle lights that have been specially certified and developed for use. These models are ideal for use in extreme situations. They are equipped with a loop and a rotating clip, which makes it easier to attach them to firefighting equipment such as bags or breathing apparatus.
Red Cross and other humanitarian rescue and relief services
These organizations are often deployed at night and under difficult conditions to provide medical assistance or set up emergency shelters. Mobile, easily transportable lighting units such as battery-powered spotlights are an advantage here.
Well-illuminated, stable floodlights are also required for treating injured people in the open air or in temporary treatment centers. The AF8R Work from Ledlenser has a powerful rechargeable battery and wired operation. For purely stationary use, we recommend the powerful AF12C Work construction spotlight.
Police and military
These forces are primarily involved in ensuring order and public safety after disasters. Tactical lighting such as powerful flashlights for the military or police, such as the X21R with various light modes, are important here. In addition, powerful searchlights that can illuminate a large distance are required for large-scale operations or the search for missing persons.
A suitable torch for police officers must have enough lumens to illuminate dark environments and have low-power LEDs to minimize the frequency of recharging or battery changes. A suitable lightweight flashlight that can be attached to equipment is the P7R.
Conclusion: What lighting is needed in the event of a disaster?
In the event of a disaster, you need the right lighting to see enough in emergency situations. This includes flashlights and headlamps for individuals as well as construction spotlights and searchlights that can illuminate large areas. High lumen values for sufficient brightness, long battery life, robust construction and high protection classes that enable use in extreme conditions are important. Various lighting devices should be included in personal emergency kits as well as in the equipment of aid organizations and disaster control.
Disaster protection and emergency lighting - Frequently asked questions
The spotlights used to search for people have 30,000 lumens and more. These are extremely bright and shine for several hundred meters even in complete darkness. Construction floodlights for illuminating tents and emergency facilities do not need to be as powerful, but they do need to be durable and robust.
Choosing the right lamp depends on the light intensity, weight and protection class. Lighting devices should have a high lumen output for sufficient brightness and long battery life. We recommend the P18R Work from Ledlenser as an all-rounder.
The lights are versatile and range from angle lights to hand lamps, helmet lamps and floodlights. The P7R Signature is a good choice as a small, powerful flashlight that is robust and can withstand the demands of use. Find out more about police and fire department torches here.
ATEX-certified LED flashlights are specially designed for firefighting operations in potentially explosive atmospheres to ensure safety in accordance with European directives. These lamps offer high performance and easy attachment to equipment. Some models are primarily intended for industrial applications, but have adjustable focus systems that can also be useful for firefighters.
