Susanne Klatt

Susanne Klatt, Team Leader EUCP and Fire Officer, Essen Fire Brigade (Germany)

What is your role, and what do you do on a daily basis?

I work as a Fire Officer at the Essen Fire Brigade in Germany. I joined the Volunteer Fire Brigade more than 30 years ago and, after studying safety engineering, applied to become a career Fire Officer. After initially working as an instructor at a state firefighting school, I have spent the last 15 years in operational service as a Watch Leader on 24-hour shifts. Most recently, I have been in charge of the training department. Through my work in the fire service, I have had the opportunity to contribute to European civil protection as a coordinating expert. In recent years, I have been able to participate in many training sessions and exercises. In 2021, I participated in a mission of the UN Environment Programme with the support of the EU.

What motivated you to get involved in civil protection/disaster management?

I have always been interested in international cooperation and completed leadership training in the USA. When I was given the opportunity to take part in my first EU training, I didn't hesitate. The concept of modules and coordinating experts has existed in Germany for many years, similar to the EU now. When someone needs help, others send a small part of their own resources, and can provide a lot of help without compromising their own safety. Together, we are strong. I find it incredibly exciting to be involved in something like this. Especially when so many different organisations are involved, which has meant that my (firefighting) perspective has broadened enormously.

What are the issues that matter most to you? How do you get involved with these issues as part of your role?

There are many issues that are close to my heart. Coming from a teaching background, I am always interested in anything to do with education and training. On the one hand, the exchange of experiences and lifelong learning are particularly important to me. Other topics I value include psychology and environmental protection. Since taking part in Environment and Emergencies Training (EET), I have also been working as an Environmental Expert, and am trying to develop further in this area. As a generalist in the fire service, I am used to dealing with new situations and issues all the time, and I hope to contribute to the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is #EmbraceEquity. Do you think the European Union civil protection/disaster management system can help achieve this? If yes, how?

As a woman, I am still a minority in the fire service. That is why I have been involved in a network of female firefighters for many years, in order to connect with more female colleagues and to pave the way for other women. In EU civil protection I have definitely met more women than in most fire departments, and of course I want to be a role model for other female colleagues. I have the impression that the EU Civil Protection Mechanism encourages the participation of women.

How might it evolve to better achieve this?

I think it is important to attract women to EU civil protection. In order to win over this target group, it is of course necessary to carry out appropriate public relations work. As the saying goes, you can't aspire to be what you can't see. As the members of the EU Civil Protection Pool are usually employed by organisations in their respective countries and not by the EU, the EU Civil Protection Mechanism can of course have little influence on the framework conditions of the employers who select and release their experts for EU missions. The ability to reconcile work and family life also has an impact on the availability of female experts in the EU Civil Protection Mechanism.