The emergency services in Brussels hope that a raft of extra measures will ensure that New Year's Eve in the capital passed safely. In recent years there have been attacks on emergency services staffs and acts of vandalism and arson in the capital on New Year’s Eve. The final preparations have already been made and the fire service spokesman says, “We hope it will remain calm, but unfortunately that is not something that you can say that in advance”.
Brussels emergency services take extra measures to prepare for New Year's Eve
Published:
Brussels emergency services are expected to once again have their hands full on New Year's Eve. The capital’s 6 local police services have already announced that their officers will be under a unified command structure led by the Chief Commissioner of the Brussels Capital-Elsene Local Police Service Michel Goovaerts on New Year’s Eve.
Previously Chief Commissioner Goovaerts indicated that preventive measures are already being taken. For example, in neighbourhoods where there have been issues in the past, the police are deploying community police officers, there is also an increased police presence in general.
On New Year’s Eve itself, hundreds of extra officers will be drafted in and the Federal Police Service will make equipment available, such as drones and water cannon available. The police say that the final preparations are already behind us.
Earplugs
Final preparations have also been made by the Brussels Fire Service. Fire service spokeman Walter Derieuw told VRT News that “Both in the operational teams and at our dispatching department, we are deploying extra staff”.
Depending on the seriousness of the situation, the fire service can request a police escort for an intervention. “Our vehicles are also equipped with protective film. And our people are given earplugs to protect them from hearing damage caused by loud fireworks.”
The fire service also has some people on site at the crisis centre to ensure smooth communication and consultation with other emergency services. “The situation will be monitored closely.”
“We hope it will remain calm on New Year's Eve, but unfortunately you cannot predict that in advance.”, Mr Derieuw said.