Reform

The reform of the civil security (in particular the fire departments and the Civil Protection) has three main goals:

  • an optimal organization of the relief provided to the population

  • increasing the safety of the citizens and relief workers

  • professionalization of the work frame  for the members of the emergency services, regarding training, equipment, standard operational procedures, uniform statute of professionals and volunteers in fire brigades, ...

The basic principles for the execution of the reform of the civil security are the following:

  • a uniform method of working, by means of which all fire brigades (emergency rescue zones) intervene in the same efficient and safe manner during interventions,

  • a thorough cooperation and more efficient division of tasks between emergency rescue zones, and between zones and units of the Civil Protection,

  • innovation, with the examination of the best means, trainings, procedures and regulations, and with the exchange of best practices,

  • a uniformization and revaluation of the administrative and pecuniary statute of the professional and voluntary firemen,

  • increase in scale, with a more efficient spending of the budget as a consequence.

In the law of 15 May 2007 regarding the civil security  the principles of the organization and functioning of the fire departments and the Civil Protection are determined.

34 emergency rescue zones

The organization of the fire departments entirely passes on 1/1/2016 from a municipal organization to a zonal system. The royal decree regarding the emergency rescue zones divides Belgium into 34 emergency rescue zones.

Maps of the 34 emergency rescue zones (pdf) - Update 11/2019