Flanders (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – In Flemish Brabant, 55 of 63 municipalities, including Lubbeek, are forming a volunteer emergency corps. Governor Jan Spooren supports the initiative, with 16 municipalities registered, funded by Flanders and trained by the Red Cross.
As VRT News reported, in Flemish Brabant, Flanders, 55 of the province’s 63 municipalities have expressed interest in creating a volunteer emergency corps. This morning, Sep 2, 2025, Governor Jan Spooren welcomed mayors and emergency planners to a presentation on setting up the volunteer units. The meeting focused on how the corps would operate and the role municipalities would play in emergency preparedness.
How are Flemish Brabant municipalities setting up a 55 volunteer corps with 16 registered?
Currently, 16 municipalities have officially registered with the Red Cross Flanders. More municipalities are expected to join in the coming months. There is no deadline for registration, allowing local governments time to consider the program.
The Flemish government is covering a large portion of the costs associated with establishing and maintaining the volunteer corps. The initiative is designed to create an organised network of volunteers to support emergency response throughout the province.
The governor expressed support for the volunteer corps, calling them an important part of the community. He said the volunteers help create a sense of solidarity, but their main role is to assist during emergencies. These include disasters such as floods, major fires, and other urgent situations.
Funding and training for the corps come from the Flemish government, but the mayor is responsible for managing the teams locally. Governor Jan Spooren explained that the Red Cross organises the training, but local authorities handle day-to-day operations.
The first volunteer corps in Flanders started a few years ago in Lubbeek, under Mayor Theo Francken (N-VA). Volunteers there have already taken part in emergency actions, such as filling sandbags during the severe floods in January last year.
Similar volunteer emergency corps initiatives have been established in other parts of Flanders. In West Flanders, cities such as Kortrijk and Tielt have initiated local volunteer corps to support emergency services. In Veurne, the municipality is preparing its own corps.
In Genk, the city is forming a volunteer emergency group with Flemish support. This initiative is part of a larger civil resilience program under the Flemish Defence Plan, developed by Minister Hilde Crevits.
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