Article 35 (2), second sentence of the Basic Law – regional emergency situation

To assist in the event of a natural disaster or a grave accident (disaster assistance), a federal state may request police personnel from other federal states, as well as personnel and facilities from other authorities, and from the Federal Police and the armed forces. Natural disasters are states of imminent danger or major damages resulting from natural events. Particularly severe accidents are catastrophic damage events that have already started. They can range from a severe chemical accident to an extensive terrorist attack, for example. In addition to providing technical assistance in accordance with Article 35 (1) of the Basic Law, military personnel may in these cases be called in to support the police with sovereign tasks. This includes powers of coercion and intervention in accordance with Article 35 (2), second sentence of the Basic Law and can be carried out only at the request of the respective federal state. Command and responsibility are held by the respective police authorities; the Bundeswehr is deployed in accordance with the applicable police law of the federal state.