The growing challenge shaping INTERSCHUTZ’s next major exhibition
Iain Hoey
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INTERSCHUTZ advisory board meeting 2025 highlights civil protection priorities
Advisory board convenes in Hannover
The INTERSCHUTZ advisory board held its third meeting of 2025 on Tuesday 14 October at Fire and Rescue Station 1 in Hannover, Germany.
According to INTERSCHUTZ, the session covered progress updates on event preparations, the exhibition site layout and the broader event concept.
Members also discussed the accompanying programmes and visitor projections ahead of next year’s event.
Civil protection to feature more prominently
INTERSCHUTZ said that recent social and geopolitical developments have increased the importance of civil protection across Europe and beyond.
As a result, civil protection will take a more visible position within the INTERSCHUTZ 2026 exhibition and supporting activities.
This adjustment aims to reflect how emergency services, technical agencies and research partners are responding to large-scale risks.
The advisory board agreed that coordinated planning across these sectors is essential for effective response capability.
Advisory board calls for stronger cooperation
In a joint statement, members of the advisory board emphasised the need for closer collaboration across emergency and defence sectors.
They said: “As the advisory board of INTERSCHUTZ 2026, we are united in our view: The challenges in civil protection are increasing worldwide – whether due to natural disasters, technological risks or geopolitical developments.
“It also allows us to coordinate better with neighbouring services.
“Meeting these challenges requires close cooperation between fire services, rescue organizations, government agencies, the armed forces in the field of civil-military cooperation (CIMIC), as well as the business and research communities.
“Only through strong collaboration among all stakeholders can we effectively protect people and their livelihoods – now and in the future. That is what we stand for. Every day.”
The meeting concluded with a guided tour of the Hannover Fire and Rescue Station.
Relevance for fire and safety professionals
INTERSCHUTZ is a major international platform for the firefighting, rescue, civil protection and security sectors.
The advisory board’s focus on strengthening civil protection will be directly relevant to emergency service planners, civil defence authorities and equipment suppliers working in large-scale disaster response.
Professionals involved in inter-agency coordination, such as fire and rescue chiefs and emergency management officials, will find the emphasis on civil-military cooperation particularly relevant.
The increased visibility of civil protection themes at INTERSCHUTZ 2026 indicates that cross-sector collaboration will play a larger role in future preparedness frameworks and resource planning.