einsatzfähig

Einsatzfähig is a German term used primarily in military, police, fire and rescue, and civil protection contexts to denote that a system, unit, or individual is capable of being deployed for an operation. It indicates that the subject meets the required readiness conditions, including functionality, reliability, and the ability to be mobilized within a defined timeframe. This status often follows regular maintenance, testing, and certification, and requires necessary personnel, logistics, and command authorization.

In contrast to einsatzbereit, which emphasizes immediate usability, einsatzfähig stresses the inherent capability to be deployed, possibly after a brief activation phase. As a property of equipment, it can apply to vehicles, weapons, communications gear, medical equipment, or facilities. For personnel, it refers to a team or crew that has completed training, has valid permissions, and can be assembled quickly.

Operationally, determining einsatzfähig involves inspections, preventative maintenance, and readiness checks, with records maintained in an equipment log or personnel roster. In disaster relief or military planning, units may be declared einsatzfähig for specific missions, with activation timelines and deployment procedures defined in standard operating plans.

The term appears in German-language official documents, training manuals, and field reports to convey that the subject is prepared to participate in an operation, rather than merely being in general good condition.