B-FAST pitches its tents in a meadow Armoedestraat in Roeselare. In less than three hours, a base camp will be built here, which is also set up for international missions. Showers, electricity, a kitchen and internet, everything is there.
End point of training
Rik Telamon, Civil Security Coordinator: “The command tent and the medical tent are our priorities. And then we continue to build the base of operation. This is the end point of a three-day training. All participants first received eight hours of theoretical training, this means converting theory into practice so that they are ready to be deployed as logistics experts in a possible B-FAST mission.”
Governor impressed
About 50 people are participating in this exercise, including civil protection, but also medical workers and defense personnel. The governor, who coordinates disasters and emergencies in our province, is impressed. Carl Decaluwé, Governor of West Flanders: “This is extremely professional. My first question is of course always: if we need it. What then? B-FAST must always remain operational. But I also hear that they are now making quotations to make such material available to civil protection. This can also be used by the governors for disaster planning.”
Earthquake
B-FAST takes action in international disasters such as earthquakes or floods, at the request of the affected countries. Councilor Matthijs Samyn from Roeselare is honored that the base camp is being set up in his city. He has already participated in several B-FAST missions himself. “Normally they always practice in Marche-en-Famenne, but there was a problem with the date. It is a bit of coming home to the B-FAST family. I have done several missions, including the Philippines, an earthquake in Turkey, then I was team leader in 2023.”
The aid workers will continue to eat and will also spend the night at their B-FAST base camp in Roeselare. The meadow will be completely cleared by 12 o’clock tomorrow afternoon.