In Germany, fire protection is a duty of the municipality. According to the German Fire Brigade Association, there are volunteer fire brigades in all municipalities. If too few people volunteer, state law has a next step. In Schleswig-Holstein, for example, the municipality must then set up a Pflichtfeuerwehr, a compulsory fire brigade, and residents aged 18 to 50 can be required to serve. In 2018, the Baltic Sea resort of Grömitz decided to set one up, after its active members had fallen from 210 to 150.