Decision on the application of the scheme has yet to be made by the Commission.

In the picturesque town of Haltern am See, the first sod was turned on August 18, 2025, marking the start of a new THW local association accommodation. This construction project is part of the THW construction program 2020-2030, a nationwide initiative aimed at building modern, functional, and sustainable THW facilities.

Haltern am See, with its 20,000 active members across 127 local THW associations in North Rhine-Westphalia, has established itself as a reliable and competent partner in disaster prevention. Over the years, the local association has handled various cases, including flooding, snow loads, fire situations, and building collapses.

The new building, spanning approximately 6,000 square meters, will house 91 volunteers and boast a usable area of around 500 square meters, a hall, a carport with 12 parking spaces, and modern vehicle halls capable of accommodating larger vehicles and diverse materials tailored to operational requirements.

Modernizing THW properties is seen as a necessary step to ensure a more deployable and resilient civil protection, according to THW President Sabine Lackner. This change is due to the shifting global political situation and the need for the THW to adapt to the changed security policy situation in Europe and worldwide.

The construction program aims to create up to 200 such modern, sustainable new buildings for the Federal Agency Technical Relief (THW) nationwide. The project in Haltern am See is a collaboration between BImA, the Building and Property Management NRW, and the THW.

The serial, systematized construction method enables completion in less than a year. This efficiency, coupled with a focus on energy efficiency, climate protection, and sustainability, ensures that the new THW buildings are not only functional but also environmentally friendly.

Integrated heat pumps and photovoltaic systems on buildings and halls increase the energy independence of local associations in case of a blackout, further enhancing the resilience of these crucial facilities.

Goldbeck, a renowned construction company, won the first framework contract for the implementation of up to 60 new THW accommodations. The construction of 30 new properties, including the one in Haltern am See, is underway due to the existing accommodations no longer meeting current requirements.

The goal of the THW construction program is to build THW facilities in a serial, systematic, and cost-saving manner. These new constructions in North Rhine-Westphalia will provide more space for training and exercises for personnel, ensuring they are well-prepared to handle any disaster that may come their way. Furthermore, the local association Haltern am See remains involved in local disaster prevention in the region and supports larger THW deployments at the federal and state association level.