Welcome Remarks for FLORIAN 2026

Armin Schuster

Saxon Minister of the Interior

Dear Visitors,

Welcome to the 25th FLORIAN!

Once again, Germany’s most important trade show for firefighting, civil protection, and disaster management offers ample opportunity for exciting insights, technical innovations, and in-depth professional exchange. This year alone, more than 350 exhibitors are expected to attend.

This is more important than it has been in a long time, as emergencies are becoming more likely. The war in Ukraine and its consequences for European security, hybrid threats and cyberattacks, extreme weather conditions, and the wildfires of recent years: a changing world is a world with more and greater risks.

This has consequences. First, the work of our mostly volunteer personnel—to whom we owe our special thanks—is becoming more complex. In particular, disaster response units can no longer focus solely on natural disasters; civil defense must also be given greater consideration. Second, the importance of networked and cross-border cooperation is growing.

I am therefore very pleased that at this year’s FLORIAN, together with our Czech partners, we will be holding a conference on the opportunities, potential, and best practices of our fire protection cooperation.

In all of this, one thing should be clear: effective work by fire departments, disaster response, and civil defense requires not only the dedication and courage of our emergency responders, but also the right partners from industry and business. That is what FLORIAN stands for—a place where everyone interested, from the general public to professionals alike, can gain hands-on experience with modern technology—technology that can save lives.

I therefore wish the organizers a successful trade show, the exhibitors fruitful discussions with customers, and all visitors exciting days at the fair as well as a pleasant stay in Dresden.

Armin Schuster
Saxon Minister of the Interior