‘The Netherlands is falling apart’ is the message that will be heard on Monday. Intermittent images on TV, pop-ups online and warnings in public places. The message has been popping up everywhere since Monday and points to a possible emergency. Don’t worry: it’s not that far yet. It is a large-scale government campaign. ‘Think ahead’ makes Dutch people think about how to prepare for emergencies, such as a long-term power outage.
The campaign started at midnight with messages on signs along the roads. From six in the morning the message spread through multiple channels. For example, crisis-like banners and warnings appear on television, radio, social media, in public transport, at web shops and even at ATMs. For this action, the central government is working with the safety regions and municipalities to spread the message. They understand that this feels unexpected for many people, but that is precisely the intention, reports Monique Goossen, spokeswoman for the Midden West Brabant safety region. “We want people to notice it and think for themselves about what this means for them.”
Why this campaign?
The government wants people to become aware of what an emergency means and what they can do themselves in the first 72 hours. Those first days are crucial to set up emergency support points, arrange basic services and coordinate aid with municipalities. “In such a situation we are busy arranging everything, taking 112 reports and providing acute assistance to the people who need it immediately,” says Goossen. According to her, it is therefore important that people are self-reliant and prepared. “We just need each other and it is a small effort to discuss this in advance and get the right stuff.”
What should you do?
The campaign focuses on three main things: an emergency plan, an emergency package and talking about it.
Simply put, an emergency plan is the plan that you make in advance with your family or partner for such a situation. It involves clear agreements: how to get home safely, how to reach each other and what to do if telephone communications fail. The organization emphasizes that every situation is different: “Are you at home or at work? Do you have to pick up the children from school or are you active as an informal caregiver, that is very personal.” But if you make clear agreements, you are already well on your way, according to Goossen.
The emergency package must contain enough to get through the first three days. The basics consist of water, a flashlight and an emergency radio, but the package is personal. Everyone has their own supplies for the first 72 hours, such as medicine or baby food.
In addition, attention is paid to emergency communication via radio, which in such a situation is often the only reliable source as soon as the electricity goes out. “After two to four hours, the transmission towers are empty and telephone traffic is at a standstill.” Via the radio you hear what is going on, how long it will take and what is expected of you. “You have to know on which frequency you can find Omroep Brabant, so people have to prepare for that.” This list can be found on the Think Forward website.
But the most important thing, according to the Goossens, is that you talk about it together, so that everyone knows what is expected of each other when it really comes to that.
Why now?
According to Goossen, geopolitical tensions are increasing that we cannot escape. “The Netherlands is certainly not at war, but not in complete peace either,” she says. There is a possible scenario where the Netherlands becomes more involved in the war and then we may notice this more. “We obviously hope not to get there, but that is what we assume with this campaign.” A more realistic scenario is that our basic facilities such as electricity, gas and drinking water could fail more often. The power outage in particular has major consequences because many large systems depend on it. “If the power goes out, gas and water quickly disappear.” A disruption can last a few hours but also longer: “It can also be days if we are unlucky,” says Goossen.
What now?
There will be a press conference on Monday evening at six o’clock in which this situation will be explained further. In addition, all households will receive a booklet with an explanation of what they can do in preparation for and in the event of an emergency, which can also be read online from today. The campaign lasts all day.