To cope with crises, Flanders mobilizes volunteers

The objective of the Flemish regional government is to have a human reserve capable of acting effectively during critical situations. Similarly, These volunteers. However. Meanwhile, at least sixteen years old, will be able to help various tasks: evacuation of populations, distribution of emergency equipment, logistical support, first aid, and surveillance of risk areas. Similarly, Their presence should make it possible to relieve emergency services while improving the coordination of interventions. Consequently. In addition, The creation of this contingent of local volunteers will also strengthen the resilience of Flanders in the face of natural disasters. In addition. Therefore, by increasing the human resources available and by sensitizing the population on the challenges of risk management, hopes the Minister.

Volunteers trained this fall – Cope crises. flanders mobilizes volunteers

With an annual budget of one cope crises, flanders mobilizes volunteers million euros. Nevertheless. the Flemish system provides that the local level coordinates the initiative in consultation with the Flemish Red Cross (Rode Kruis Vlaanderen), the only organization mandated by the government of Mathias Diependele (N-VA).

According to Hilde Crevits, the contingents of volunteers will be able to officially start their activities next January.

In the fall, Rode Kruis Vlaanderen will provide the training of volunteers who wanted to commit. They will receive an initiation to first aid and will participate in simulation exercises. “They are therefore not volunteers from the Red Cross. but. for the duration of their interventions, they will benefit from good and due form”underlines Vincent Verbeecke, the spokesperson for the Red Cross in Flanders, who salutes the initiative.

Ferm training: Groen cope crises, flanders mobilizes volunteers new requires means for psychological aid from young people

“Climate change pushes us to anticipate. be vigilant at any time. Whenever a cope crises. flanders mobilizes volunteers natural disaster occurs, we know that the coordination of help is essential“, he presses.” But. for Being effective. it is essential that the emergency services are perfectly coordinated, that the various actors in the intervention consult to define the priorities. The volunteers of the town are those who know the local life best. They can immediately go into action when it is necessary to evacuate a street, a neighborhood, a building, a school … The important thing is to be pragmatic, efficient, and to help people in the event of a crisis. We expect them where they can make the difference “, summarizes our interlocutor.

Everyone has their role. their responsibility

Jan de Keyser. the bourgmestre of Oostkamp, Flanders-Western, cope crises, flanders mobilizes volunteers new one of the first committed municipalities, underlines the complementary role of the future municipal contingent to traditional emergency services. He mentions the example of the exemplary management of cope crises, flanders mobilizes volunteers the COVIVS vaccination center by volunteers. The bourgmestre mentions another advantage of this initiative: it is able to mobilize volunteers in search of a motivating. social commitment. near their home.

Note. however. that the initiative of the Flemish government arouses mixed reactions from Flemish volunteer firefighters their president, Geert Ollevier, expresses some reservations about the management entrusted exclusively to the Red Cross, stressing the need for better integration of volunteers in existing rescue services to optimize coordination. He also recalls the recruitment difficulties linked to the duration. complexity of the training of firefighters, an issue on which modernization efforts are underway.

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