Preparing emergency response centers in the municipality

To prepare for this, pilot projects are being carried out across the country. Within the North and East Gelderland Safety Region, four municipalities are each conducting studies at their own locations to determine what is needed for an emergency support center to function effectively. This includes the organization, the facilities, and collaboration with partners, as well as how residents are informed.

De Kiem in Dinxperlo as a pilot emergency support center

The municipality of Aalten is one of the pilot municipalities and is considering the De Kiem building in Dinxperlo as a pilot emergency support center. The choice of the municipality of Aalten as a pilot municipality and of De Kiem as an emergency support center is related to our location on the border. Several emergency support centers have already been established on the German side. In this pilot, we are investigating how an emergency support center can function in practice, what is required for this, and whether cross-border cooperation is possible.
We will use the experiences gained from the De Kiem emergency support center to effectively set up emergency support centers at other locations within our own municipality. Our experiences with cross-border cooperation and the joint use of emergency support centers by Dutch and German residents are also valuable for other border municipalities.

What is an emergency relief center?

An emergency support center is a place where residents can go during a major, long-term emergency if they need urgent assistance and are unable to resolve the situation on their own.
At an emergency support center, residents can obtain information about the situation and what they can do. In emergencies, contact can also be made with emergency services, such as the police, fire department, and ambulance. Sometimes limited support is also available, for example, if people depend on electricity for medical equipment or if medications need to be kept cool.
An emergency support center is explicitly not a location for shelter or long-term stay, nor is it a place where food or water is distributed or where phones or laptops can be charged.

Why is this necessary?

The development of emergency response centers is about preparing for potential emergencies. Think of disruptions to vital services, such as a large-scale power outage or failure of digital systems. These are situations that can have a major impact on daily life.
That is why municipalities and the Rijksoverheid are working Rijksoverheid measures to be prepared for this and to ensure that, in an emergency, there is a recognizable and accessible place for residents.
The development of emergency support centers aligns with the national “Think Ahead” campaign, which calls on residents to consider their own preparedness for emergencies and what they need to get by for at least 72 hours without basic services. 

Join us in brainstorming

The municipality of Aalten would like to involve residents in the planning of emergency support centers. What do they expect from such a facility in an emergency? And what information or support would they need in that situation?
At a later date, the municipality will launch a survey among residents. In it, we will ask about their expectations and ideas. We will use the results to further develop the plans for the emergency support centers. 

As soon as the study begins, we will inform residents through our usual channels about how they can participate. 

Ideas for setting up emergency aid stations can already be shared via gemeente@aalten.nl, with the subject line “emergency aid stations.”