A week before he goes up for his final exam as a volunteer firefighter, 26-year-old Lars van der Meer was told that the barracks in his hometown of Ursem may be closed down in the long run. “You wonder why you put in such effort for a year. If I had known this, I would not have started the training,” says Lars, who does not think of giving up. “Now I’m finishing the training too.”
Lars works as a mechanic at a cheese factory, likes to help people and likes action. The decision is therefore quickly made, when a boy next door takes him to a practice evening of the voluntary fire brigade. Lars made his choice quickly and signs up for the training to become a firefighter. The part-time course lasts two years, but Lars opts for the accelerated course, which lasts only one year. He can then get to work quickly and efficiently spends the free hours that he has to take.
Lars was therefore a bit dazed when he heard of the reorganization plan of the North Holland North Safety Region† Based on a risk analysis, the Security Region wants to allocate people and resources differently across the region. Ursem has a low risk profile and, according to the Safety Region, can therefore manage with fewer fire brigade volunteers. The volunteers are not so sure about these figures and set to work to demonstrate that they do have a right to exist.
Longer arrival time
If the fire station in Ursem is locked, sprayers from other cores must be summoned in the event of a fire. “Then they can come from the Goorn or from Obdam and Heerhugowaard”, Lars lists the corps that will continue to exist. The distance takes up precious time and that could be the difference between life and death for any victims.
It will come down to about four to five minutes extra arrival time, Lars thinks. “During the training, we learn that a fire can grow from a simple candle flame to a serious house fire in four minutes,” says Lars, who further indicates that every request for help necessitates a quick response and that that alone is a reason to open the barracks in Ursem. to keep open.
Even available during the fair
For the time being, this is a plan of the Security Region. The decision is expected to be made in December. Lars announces that the volunteers will do everything they can to show that the barracks in Ursem must remain open. For example, according to Lars, there are doubts about the low risk profile that emerged for Ursem. “For the time being, we will simply remain motivated to do our job,” says Lars determinedly.
Ursem has no shortage of volunteers. Even during the fair that will erupt in Ursem in the near future, there are enough volunteers who have indicated that they are available and sober.