Think ahead

If there is danger, you will receive a warning so that you know what to do. This happens in various ways. For example, via anNL-Alert on your mobile phone or via a broadcast on regional public television. 

NL-Alert warns and informs you about emergency situations. An NL-Alert tells you what is happening, what you should do, and where you can find more information. You will receive an NL-Alert on your cell phone. You will also see NL-Alert on digital advertising screens and travel information screens. If you see an NL-Alert, read the message immediately, take action, and help others to do the same. 

Every first Monday of June and December, you will receive a test message around 12:00 noon. This allows you to check whether you are receiving NL-Alert messages. If you do not receive a test message, check whether your mobile phone is in airplane mode or set to Wi-Fi only. If so, you will not be able to receive test messages.

For more information: www.nl-alert.nl

NL-Alert App

For residents who live close to the border and sometimes do not receive NL-Alert messages, there is the NL-Alert App. The app also helps people for whom the messages are not always clear.

Download the NL-Alert app:

• Apple App Store (iOS)
• Google Play Store (Android) 

In the event of power failures or internet outages, regional public broadcasters will continue to broadcast via radio. It is therefore advisable to have a battery-powered, solar-powered, or dynamo-powered radio at home.

For our region, that is Omroep Gelderland:

• FM frequency: 90.4 MHz
• On DAB, you will automatically receive the regional station.

Is the siren sounding and it's not the first Monday of the month? Then there is danger. Go inside immediately, close windows and doors, and follow the news on the radio, television, or internet.

What should I do when the siren sounds? The siren | Think ahead.

Within the municipality of Aalten, certain risks occur more frequently. It is good to be aware of these:

• Flooding: Extreme rainfall can cause ditches and streams to overflow. This can cause local flooding in streets or intersections.
• Storm damage: Due to our green and rural surroundings, the risk of trees being blown over or branches coming loose is greater during heavy storms.
• Wildfires: Dry summers can increase the risk of wildfires in rural areas.
• Power or telecom outage: A prolonged outage can impact communications and equipment.

How can I prepare for the most common risks? 

Risks | North and East Gelderland Safety Region (VNOG.

The advice is to have a few important items at home. A little preparation can make a big difference. You probably already have most of these items at home: 

• Water (3 liters per person per day, for 2–3 days)
• Non-perishable food
• Flashlight + batteries
• Power bank
• Emergency radio
• first aid kit
• Medications
• Important numbers on paper
• Cash
• Warm clothing/blankets

You can find a comprehensive checklist at www.denkvooruit.nl. Put together your emergency kit | Think ahead.

In the event of flooding, we work closely with the Rijn en IJssel Water Authority.

• For reports of serious flooding, you can reach them at 0314 369 369.
• In the event of heavy rainfall, we coordinate together which measures are necessary, such as temporary closures or additional pumping capacity.

Reports about public spaces (such as fallen trees or blocked drains) can be submitted via our website. Reports about the living environment | Municipality of Aalten.

The municipality of Aalten is well prepared for emergencies. We work together with the North and East Gelderland Safety Region (VNOG), the fire department, the police, the medical assistance organization (GHOR), and other partners.

Among other things, we do the following:

Crisis plan and risk management

We work with an up-to-date crisis plan, tailored to the safety region. We use a regional risk profile to identify the most significant risks here.

Training and practice

Employees who play a role during crises undergo training and participate in realistic exercises every year.

Emergency locations

In the event of a major crisis, we can use sports halls and multifunctional facilities as reception centers or information points.

Pilot emergency support centers

We are participating in a pilot project involving emergency support centers: places where residents can go if there is a prolonged power or telecom outage. Basic information is available here, and you can ask for or share help.

Continuity of service

The municipality has plans to ensure that services continue to run as smoothly as possible in the event of digital disruptions or system failures.

Volunteers are invaluable in an emergency situation. You can register now with the Red Cross via Ready2Help.Ready2Help: ready when needed | the Red Cross.

• I need help preparing.I need help | Think ahead.
• Questions about the information booklet "Prepare for an emergency" Information booklet: Prepare for an emergency | Think ahead.
• I depend on Health, medical aids, or medicationHealth Think ahead.
• What is the government doing? What is the government doing | Think ahead.

What can you do in an emergency?

Sometimes something unexpected happens. For example, a major power outage, flooding, a severe storm, or extreme heat. It is important to know what to do in such situations and how to obtain information.

Here we explain it simply. 

How do you receive a warning?

NL-Alert

If there is danger, you will receive an NL-Alert on your mobile phone. The message will say:

• what's going on
• what you need to do
• where you can find more information

If you see an NL-Alert, read it immediately and take action. Help others too.

Test report

Every first Monday in June and December, you will receive a test message around 12:00 noon.
If you do not receive a message, your phone may be in airplane mode or set to Wi-Fi only.

NL-Alert App

Do you live close to the border or do you not always receive NL-Alerts properly? With the NL-Alert App, you will receive the messages.

The app is also useful if you do not always understand the regular NL-Alert messages.

Radio without power or internet

When the power goes out, the internet often stops working too. The radio still works, though.

Our regional broadcaster is Omroep Gelderland.

• FM frequency: 90.4 MHz
• On a DAB radio, you can find the station automatically.

It is useful to have a radio at home that runs on batteries, solar power, or a hand crank.

The siren

Can you hear the siren and it's not the first Monday of the month? Then there is immediate danger.

• Go inside immediately.
• Close windows and doors.
• Follow the news on the radio, television, or the internet.

What is useful to have at home?

A little preparation goes a long way. Health you have the following at home:

• water and food for 2 to 3 days
• flashlight + batteries
• power bank
• radio that works without electricity
• first aid kit
• medications
• important phone numbers on paper
• cash
• warm clothing or blankets

A comprehensive checklist can be found at www.denkvooruit.nl. Put together your emergency kit | Think ahead.

What does the municipality do?

The municipality is well prepared for emergencies. We regularly conduct drills with the fire department, police, and the safety region.

In the event of problems such as power outages or flooding, we will ensure that you receive information and are safe. We will provide places where residents can go if there is no power or internet.

Would you like assistance or do you have any questions?

In case of an emergency, you can call the municipality: 0543 49 33 33. 

For more information, visit: www.denkvooruit.nl

Would you like to help?

You can become a volunteer with the Red Cross. You can register via Ready2Help. Ready2Help: ready when needed | the Red Cross.

This way, you can help others if something happens.