Systemic resilience in disaster medicine: Personnel vulnerability and digital transformation in German civil protection

Abstract

German civil protection faces a resilience crisis driven by a fragile volunteer base and escalating disaster complexity. Empirical data indicates that only one third of volunteer responders are available during emergencies, often due to the "critical infrastructure paradox" — where responders are simultaneously essential workers in vital sectors. A dual-pronged strategy for systemic resilience is proposed. Structurally, it advocates for a uniform national legal status for responders and mandatory registers to manage dual-role conflicts. Technologically, it positions digitalization as a "force multiplier," emphasizing telemedicine (TeleSAN), resilient satellite-based communications, and the establishment of a national Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) Register. While predictive algorithms (LIFE-Triage) and generative AI offer transformative potential for dynamic triage and resource allocation, they must supplement, not replace, human ethical deliberation. Synergizing a reinforced workforce with robust digital infrastructure is essential for mastering future cascading crises.