After a crash that killed five people between Heiderscheid and Feulen, the Director General of the CGDIS, Paul Schroeder, could recall nothing like it in his 35-year career, stating: "this is truly exceptional and very tragic".
On Tuesday morning, our colleagues from RTL Radio spoke with Paul Schroeder, the Director General of the Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps (CGDIS).
Reflecting on Monday evening's fatal traffic accident between Heiderscheid and Feulen, which claimed five lives, Schroeder stated that in his 35-year career with the CGDIS, he could not recall one of such severity. "Accidents with three or four fatalities come to mind", he said, "but this is truly exceptional and very tragic".
Schroeder also noted that it is unusual for two vehicles to catch fire simultaneously. However, he pointed out that a car with a combustion engine carries 100 litres of petrol. If the tank ruptures and this petrol spills over the hot parts of the engine, a car will immediately burst into flames, the head of the CGDIS explained.
A psychological support team is deployed to assist during such tragic events. This unit provides aid not only to witnesses but also to the emergency responders themselves, who are later tasked with visiting the victims' families.
Despite this incident, Schroeder emphasised that the overall number of serious accidents has significantly decreased in recent decades. He credited this positive trend to the policy of installing speed cameras, both section control and fixed-point, and to continual improvements in vehicle safety features.
When CGDIS teams deploy abroad
The CGDIS deploys teams internationally – to respond to earthquakes, floods, and forest fires – only upon formal request, typically through the European Civil Protection Mechanism. Schroeder outlined strict guidelines for such missions. For instance, teams sent to combat forest fires must be fully self-sufficient and capable of operating around the clock. This means they must provide their own food, maintain their own equipment on site, and have enough personnel for rotations.
Schroeder admitted that quickly assembling a contingent of 100 people, a common requirement, is naturally difficult for Luxembourg. However, he cited a recent example of a smaller, targeted deployment: a team of eight firefighters from Echternach was authorised to assist in Portugal. This mission, he explained, was facilitated by a long-standing relationship between the Echternach firefighters and their colleagues in the Portuguese municipality of Arganil.
For large-scale disasters, the CGDIS often deploys its Humanitarian Intervention Team (HIT) with the emergency.lu system. This portable satellite terminal helps restore crucial communication channels for local rescue services on the ground.
Luxembourg must also expect more vegetation fires
Schroeder warned that rising temperatures and increasing dryness in Luxembourg are elevating the risk of vegetation fires, often sparked by agricultural machinery. In response, the CGDIS is adapting its operational plans and converting several lorries to better equip firefighters for these specific incidents.
112 always reachable
Addressing the recent cyberattack on POST Luxembourg that left the 112 emergency number unreachable for hours, Schroeder expressed surprise at the scale of the outage. He noted society's growing dependence on the internet and electricity makes systems more vulnerable.
He clarified that while the 112 infrastructure was technically operational on 23 July, calls could not be routed through. In response, the CGDIS dispatched more emergency personnel to response centres to provide direct, on-site help.
Looking ahead, Schroeder urged the public to consider alternative ways to get help if phones and internet fail. One reliable method, he suggested, is to flag down a police patrol, as the radio network between the police and the CGDIS remains operational during such outages.
Volunteer numbers are stable, but commitment models are evolving
The CGDIS currently employs just over 700 professional firefighters and is supported by approximately 7,000 volunteers. Schroeder reported that the number of volunteers has actually increased in recent years. However, he noted a significant shift in their level of commitment.
Schroeder explained that the traditional model, where being a firefighter was a lifelong priority that superseded other obligations, is evolving. Today, volunteers often balance their roles with numerous other activities and interests, with the CGDIS being one commitment among many.
This change in availability is a reality the organisation must accept and adapt to, Schroeder continued. In response, the CGDIS has conducted an extensive internal study on volunteer motivation and preferred engagement models.
The previous system, which treated every volunteer identically under a single status, is now being reformed. Schroeder announced the introduction of several new statuses, designed to accommodate varying levels of availability and allow individuals to contribute to a greater or lesser extent.
