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23 mai 2022

Flood protection exercise in Görlitz with the fire brigade, THW and the Red Cross

In May 2022, the city of Görlitz carried out a large-scale flood protection exercise to test its new mobile flood barrier system from Haawal. The exercise was led by the local professional fire brigade, with support from THW (Technisches Hilfswerk) and the Red Cross.


  Usecase summary:
  • Use case: Excersice with Fire department

  • User: Görlitz firedepartment

  • How many meters: 400 meters

  • Terrain: Concrete & grass

  • Protection height: 90cm

  • System: Haawal flood barrier

  • Outcome: Key infrastructure and city protected


The main objective was to install and test more than 400 meters of The Haawal flood barrier under realistic conditions. The area tested is one of the most flood-prone sections of the city, located along the river in the city centre. Görlitz has experienced severe flooding in the past, including major damage during the 2010 flood, making preparedness a high priority.



A THW team member rolling out the membrane over the Haawal flood barrier during a flood protection exercise in Görlitz.
A THW team member rolling out the membrane over the Haawal flood barrier during a flood protection exercise in Görlitz.

After a brief introduction, the participants began installing the system. The speed of the installation was later highlighted by the fire brigade:


"400 meters of Haawal were efficiently installed within the planned four-hour timeframe, and we were impressed by how fast it was to set up". Uwe Restetzki, Fire Chief, Görlitz.

Uwe Restetzki, former Fire Chief, Görlitz
Uwe Restetzki, former Fire Chief, Görlitz

One of the reasons Görlitz purchased Haawal flood barriers is that the city also faces challenges related to forest fires and therefore needs flexible solutions for temporary water storage. The modular system can be quickly configured into a basin of the required size, depending on operational needs.


Haawal flood barriers used as temporary water storage
Haawal flood barriers used as temporary water storage

Several German media outlets, including Saechsische.de, covered the exercise and documented the installation with images from the field.


Drone footage of Görlitz’s old town with the Haawal flood barrier fully installed during the exercise.
Drone footage of Görlitz’s old town with the Haawal flood barrier fully installed during the exercise.

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