Brandenburg supports municipalities in financing emergency services

In view of the difficult financial situation, the Brandenburg municipalities are receiving more money from the state for the rescue service. The districts and independent cities should receive 40 million euros each in 2027 and 2028 from the remaining expenditure of a fund for municipalities in difficulties. There is also a hardship regulation if that is not enough. This is the result of the local conference between district administrators and mayors with the red-black state government.

The state also wants to put 10 million euros into the fund if districts and independent cities bill for shortfalls for rescue missions without a hospital - so-called wrong trips - and apply for hardship compensation. Finance Minister Daniel Keller (SPD) said that the state wanted to forego 20 million euros from an advance deduction of funds for the municipalities. The Ministry of Finance wants to counter-finance this by forgoing the purchase of real estate.

“The primary goal for all of us (...) was to avoid notifications for citizens,” said the district administrator of the Uckermark district, Karina Dörk (CDU). It remains to be seen whether the money will be enough. But Keller was confident. It's about deficits that have accumulated since 2022.

The use of ambulances and emergency doctors results in costs, even if a patient is not taken to the hospital. Normally, districts and independent cities pay, and the health insurance companies reimburse the amounts. That doesn't always work. The reform of the federal emergency care system should bring a solution to the wrong trips in 2027.

The financial situation of the municipalities is tense. The state capital Potsdam had imposed a budget freeze, as had several districts beforehand.