Denmark is set to enhance its emergency response capabilities with the acquisition of six high-capacity pumps to mitigate the impact of flooding. These pumps, capable of displacing up to 50,000 liters of water per minute, represent a significant investment in specialized climate equipment.

The purchase, facilitated by the Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (FMI) on behalf of the Emergency Management Agency, marks the initial procurement of equipment under the political agreement on emergency preparedness finalized in January. The pumps will be strategically stationed at the Emergency Management Agency’s emergency response centers, with deployment anticipated next year.

Torsten Schack Pedersen, the Minister for Public Security and Emergency Preparedness, emphasized the increasing severity and frequency of extreme weather events due to climate change. “Therefore, it is important that the emergency services have powerful pumps that can quickly remove the water,” he stated. The pumps are intended to bolster local emergency services during complex and severe weather events.

Beyond flood control, these versatile units can also be deployed in wildfire scenarios where water sources are distant. Each unit comprises a pump, a container with hoses for large-scale fires, and a module specifically designed for flood response.

The emergency preparedness agreement, encompassing all parties in the Danish Parliament except the Unity List and The Alternative, allocates substantial funding towards bolstering emergency response capabilities. The agreement earmarks DKK 608 million for 2025 and 2026, designated for hiring additional uniformed personnel and investing in specialized climate equipment. Furthermore, an annual allocation of DKK 183 million is secured up to and including 2033.