H 220 - Search for a Missing Person in Steinbach am Donnersberg
| Incident Number: | H 220 |
| Date: | 15.09.2026 |
| Alarm time: | 20:07 |
| End of operation: | 00:27 |
| Incident keyword: | People Search |
Report
The police called in the fire department and the search-and-rescue dog team to conduct a search for a person, as a person with dementia from Steinbach had not returned home since the afternoon. In addition to units from the Winnweiler municipal association fire department, personnel from the neighboring municipalities of Göllheim, Kirchheimbolanden, and Enkenbach-Alsenborn were also alerted.
The emergency responders then proceeded to the meeting point at the Steinbach fire station and coordinated the organized search from there. A total of four operational sectors were established for this purpose. Operational Section 1 (EA1) comprised the vehicle-based search, which was in turn subdivided into four operational subsections: North, East, South, and West. Operation Section 2 (EA2) consisted of the three drones deployed with thermal imaging cameras, while EA3 comprised the search and rescue dog unit with area search dogs and mantrailers. The rescue service personnel, along with the rapid response teams and local chapters of the German Red Cross (DRK), comprised Operation Section 4 (“Health”).
As the search operation got underway, a press release was issued to engage the public and, if possible, obtain relevant information. This made it possible to reconstruct the missing person’s approximate route as the search progressed, and the search radius was adjusted accordingly. In addition to personnel from the fire department, the search and rescue dog unit, and the German Red Cross, the police were also on the scene with patrol cars and a helicopter. Ultimately, approximately 170 emergency responders were involved in the search operation.
After about 3.5 hours, a police patrol reported that the missing person had been found safe and sound. She was initially treated by emergency medical services but was then able to return home. The emergency responders subsequently ended the search operation. After a brief debriefing at the Steinbach station, all vehicles returned to their bases. The collaboration between the various organizations went smoothly, resulting in a very effective search operation.
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