Dutch delegation visits Bocholt to find out about emergency information points

During a working visit, the town of Bocholt and the district of Borken presented their joint concept for emergency information points to a 28-strong Dutch delegation. In the Sporker Saal, the guests from the Kennemerland Safety Region, along with several Dutch mayors, were given practical insights into the set-up and operation of the central crisis response centres.

The event, organised jointly by the District of Borken and the town of Bocholt in the Sporker Saal on Dinxperloer Straße, was devoted to in-depth technical discussions on crisis communication and emergency infrastructure. Those present were welcomed by Dr Elisabeth Schwenzow, a member of the executive board and head of the security department for the district of Borken, and by Bocholt's mayor, Christian Mangen.

""With the emergency information points, we are creating reliable points of contact for our citizens in exceptional circumstances,"" said Mangen. He and Elisabeth Schwenzow emphasised the importance of inter-municipal networking and the ongoing exchange of knowledge with their Dutch neighbours.

Among the participants were representatives of the Kennemerland Safety Region, the mayors of the Dutch municipalities of Bloemendaal, Haarlemmermeer, Heemskerk and Zandvoort, and the mayor of the neighbouring municipality of Aalten, Anton Stapelkamp.

The Dutch guests showed great interest in the practical experience of the local authorities here in planning and operating emergency information points. The focus was on administrative responsibilities, crisis-resilient communication with the public, and specific challenges arising from prolonged supply shortages, such as large-scale power cuts.

Following the theoretical presentations by Florian Laubrock and Esther Hoffmann from the Safety and Public Order Department of the District of Borken, and Dieter Helbig from the Public Order Department of the City of Bocholt, the delegation visited the emergency information point set up on site in the Sporker Saal, to assess the equipment and procedures first-hand.

There are plans to further intensify cooperation with the Dutch security region: for example, it is envisaged that staff from the City of Bocholt will take part in an exercise on the operation of emergency information points in neighbouring Aalten in October.

About emergency information points

Emergency information points are planned for strategically accessible locations throughout the district so that they can be staffed at short notice in the event of an emergency. They primarily serve as contact points for the public to make urgent emergency calls in the event of a failure of regular telephone networks, as well as to provide up-to-date information on the situation.

In addition, enhanced emergency information points are equipped with an emergency power supply to enable the refrigeration of vital medicines, the recharging of ventilators or the warming of baby formula in the event of a prolonged, widespread power cut.

These centres are staffed by trained personnel from the local authorities. In addition to the Sporker Saal, several school sports halls and municipal buildings in Bocholt are available as designated locations. Furthermore, the main fire station, the fire engine depot in Suderwick and the police station will remain accessible as emergency contact points in the event of a crisis.

Further information on civil protection and an overview of all emergency information points in the district of Borken can be found at akut.kreis-borken.de.

The town of Bocholt and the Borken district regard the visit by the Dutch delegation as a valuable impetus for the further development of regional and cross-border civil protection strategies.