From now on the Brussels Fire Service intends to focus more on alternative methods in its campaigns to combat violence against emergency service staff by young people. On New Year's Eve it was once again all too evident that attacks on firefighters, police and ambulance crews are now a huge problem.
Violence against emergency services: Brussels Fire Service wants to use influencers to reach some sections of society
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In a statement the Brussels Fire Service said that “We will be visiting youth centres and using influencers". The reasoning behind this new approach is that certain groups can simply no longer be reached via traditional media and PR campaigns.
On New Year’s Eve the Brussels Fire Service received more than 600 callouts. During the night, firefighters were pelted with stones and fireworks dozens of times. This kind of behaviour does not only occur during the festive season and fire crews in the capital are facing acts of aggression from members of the public throughout the year.
The Brussels Fire Service spokesman Walter Derieuw thanked the police for their support when firefighters come under attack. "But it is incomprehensible that we are being targeted. We are there day and night to provide assistance. It's not about something banal. It’s about attempts being made to cause damage and harm."
Those in charge of the capital’s fire service are urging firefighters to report every attack, however minor. "We are trying to make it clear to our people that this is not normal. It's not 'part of the job', it's unacceptable."
Fire Service community liaison officers will now try and approach young people in so-called problem areas by vising youth centres. The aim is to show what the Fire Service is and what it does for society.
However, as they are aware that it is no longer possible to reach certain social groups using traditional means. The Brussels Fire Service intends to make more use of social media to get its message over and in future and would also like to involve influencers in order to do this.