At the end of the last year an extreme weather situation in the north of the Münsterland brought forth the most extensive assignment of forces of danger defence in the history of the district of Kreis Steinfurt.

Exceptional strong snowfalls combined with strong wind led to very thick frost and snow crusts around the power supply lines. About 50 power supply lines didn’t withstand and broke.

The consequence was the most extensive and large area electrical power outage in the European after war history. Up to 250,000 people in the northern Münsterland were separated from the public power supply system for several days.

In addition to this enfolding situation the forces of danger defence had to fight against several strong situations in road traffic. Thousands of motorists were transfixed in traffic jams with lengths of a few miles on several motorways.

The operation controller and the task force organized the buildup of a comprehensive power supply system by emergency power for about several days and organized the supply and the support of those motorists, who were transfixed. About more than 3000 field helpers were applied.

The crisis management of the district of Steinfurt for the coverage of these comprehensive situations was extremely effective. This success has different reasons.

The decision was essential to call out red alert very early. Thereby we had the legal possibility to demand the support of the Bundeswehr, so that the task force could control the situation at any time.

Furthermore the operation controller and the leader of the task force decided to pool together both forces though the directive of the Innenministerium NRW. The determining advantage of this structure was the efficient utilisation of personal resources. Defined functions did not have to be occupied twice, so that we could assure the operation readiness for one week day and night in a three shift operation.

All of the concerned helpers have worked together with high engagement and high professionalism. Working in the task force was characterised by a very good personal teamwork without problems in communication.

Very important were also the regular practices of task force and operation controller in the run-up time. It has shown, that the personal knowledge of the members of the task force is the “sine qua non” for a successful management of a crisis.