West Flemish fire brigade on the way to umbrella dispatch operation

Since 2015, there are four emergency zones in West Flanders that handle fire service calls. When a call comes in at the emergency center 112, it is forwarded to the appropriate fire department zone. The necessary personnel and emergency vehicles are then automatically alerted. The fire service calls are then also handled by the zone itself.

Avoid double interventions

In contrast to East Flanders, where they already use a central dispatching center in Ghent, the zones in West Flanders still work with volunteers during the night and weekends. It happens that they do not receive a single call in their service. This can be avoided by providing an overarching West Flemish dispatch operation. Such a service also maintains an overview of the entire province, so that double interventions are avoided.

Align systems

Governor Decaluwé has consulted with the emergency zones Fluvia, Midwest, Westhoek and Zone 1 to accelerate the implementation of inter-zone dispatching. Although a feasibility study has already been completed, the zones must harmonize their systems and standardize a number of things. The IT systems of three zones have already been brought to the same level, and the Midwest zone will follow in 2024.