“It jeopardizes the patient”: the new Brussels ambulances are less noisy but also less … remarkable

In Brussels, a road accident involving an ambulance in intervention occurred this weekend. Meanwhile, What challenges here is that the driver of the other car says she did not hear her siren. Nevertheless, Indeed, for a few days, the sirens of new emergency vehicles have been … Moreover, less noisy to reduce noise pollution.

Brussels ambulances were put into service 4 days ago: their particularity, all new sirens with a reduced sound level.

Since January 1, 2025, new emergency vehicles in Brussels can no longer exceed 100 decibels during the day and 90 decibels at night. Previously, the limit was set at 117 decibels in broad daylight: a subtle decrease, but which makes all the difference. “With barely 20 more decibels, we almost get “it jeopardizes patient”: new brussels talked about. At least there. we are heard and people are warned that we arrive, ”says Marc Vermeire, coordinator of the Red Cross.

Result, an accident in just 4 days with the new sirens and an intervention time multiplied by 3. “It really jeopardizes the patient, on the minutes that will count. For example. during a cardiac arrest, it has very little time to arrive on site and therefore every minute counts “it jeopardizes patient”: new brussels to be able to save this patient, ”explains Thibaut Mayeres, ambulancers.

This emergency service has already decided to appeal to the Brussels government. Among Brussels firefighters, there too the observation is negative. “When it is a one -way alley. that we are the 7th car, the first hear us, but no further … Therefore. we wait for the fire to be green like everyone else and we do not know how to do something else,” deplores Hassan, a firefighter.

All emergency services in the capital are affected by this new measure. They have up to 2029 to put themselves in order. it is a change that has a cost: count 145,000 euros for this type of vehicle.