FORPLAN GmbH supports municipal fire departments with tailored location planning, travel time simulations, and economic efficiency analyses. With extensive experience and interdisciplinary expertise, FORPLAN develops strategic concepts to optimize operational readiness and resource utilization.
In Germany, cities and municipalities are responsible for ensuring fire protection services. They must establish, equip, and maintain a fire department appropriate to local conditions — at their own expense. To assess the effectiveness of fire services and adapt to changing conditions, planning is essential. A widely established tool is the fire protection demand plan. Depending on the federal state, it may also be referred to as a development plan, fire department demand plan, or hazard prevention plan. The legal basis for these plans is defined in each state’s fire protection laws and must be considered during the planning process.
The primary goal of demand planning is to assess the operational capability of the fire department and to strategically align it with local hazard and risk conditions. It provides decision-makers in municipalities with a fact-based, transparent foundation for planning.
Key aspects of a fire protection demand plan include:
Assessment of the current (IST) structure
Analysis of the municipal structure
Hazard and risk analysis
Control center data evaluation (e.g. response time, arrival time, coverage rate)
Development of relevant planning scenarios
Personnel and vehicle concept development
Assessment of demographic trends
Target structure (SOLL) definition with action plan
Implementation support and monitoring
Through careful planning, sufficient funding, ongoing training, and the provision of equipment and resources, local governments can ensure that fire protection services meet the specific needs of their communities. Structured demand planning is a key instrument for protecting both people and property.
