Founded in May 1980, the THW Association takes the interests of the Federal Agency Technische Hilfswerk, the people in the THW, and their intentions of the civil protection sector as a whole, and lobbies for them at national level. In addition to promoting civil protection and related youth work, the declared objects of the association also include enhancing societal appreciation for the THW and raising awareness of the organisation.

One core task of the national association is political advocacy for volunteer participation in civil protection. In this regard, it works on shaping the statutory basis for the THW, issuing position statements on relevant legislative proposals of the German Bundestag. It maintains cross-party contact to political decision-makers, in order to draw attention to the concerns of the civil protection and disaster relief sector.

At the local level, the THW Association also supports the expansion of THW local section premises and enhances the provision of equipment to THW operatives. It also provides the THW with money and equipment for its operations at home and abroad.