Rivierenland Fire Zone Expands Mechelen Fleet with €1.7M Investment

Mechelen (Eurotoday) – The Rivierenland fire zone, led by Major François Van den Eynde, has invested €1.7M in new vehicles to improve emergency response for 422K people.

The merging of smaller fire brigades into larger groups, like the Rivierenland fire zone, has changed how resources are managed. This includes how they buy vehicles. Many fire departments used to have old vehicles that did one job and were not used often.

Major François Van den Eynde, who manages facilities at Rivierenland, said some of these vehicles only had 5,000 kilometers after thirty years. Even with low mileage, they took up space, needed repairs, and were not useful for modern firefighting. Because of this, the fire zone decided to get rid of these old vehicles. They want to make space for a more effective and practical fleet.

How is the Rivierenland Fire Zone transforming its vehicle procurement for enhanced emergency response?

The fire zone has changed how it buys vehicles. Now, they focus on getting vehicles that can do many different jobs. These new vehicles can handle fires, car accidents, and other emergencies. This change helps reduce the number of vehicles needed while making sure they work better. It also allows them to send vehicles where they are needed most.

“We can use that multifunctional fire engine as a fire truck not only to fight fires but also to free trapped victims from vehicles. That equipment for freeing now works on batteries and is no longer connected to the fire engine.”

François Van den Eynde
Director of the Rivierenland Fire Zone Facility

Bornem Fire Station got a new Mercedes Atego. This fire engine can do many jobs, including fighting fires and helping free people stuck in cars. The tools used for this now run on batteries. Bornem also has a new Mercedes Sprinter ambulance. It has an electric stretcher, making it easier for ambulance drivers to do their work. There are six ambulances in the fire zone: one at each station in Bornem, Puurs, Boom, and Willebroek, and two at Heist-op-den-Berg.

“A step forward for our ambulance drivers, who can now work more ergonomically and are less physically burdened during their work,”

says Major Van den Eynde.

The Rivierenland fire zone has bought six new vehicles. These vehicles are all Mercedes Sprinter models. They are made to help with many tasks. These tasks are important for the fire brigade. They go beyond just fighting fires. Major François Van den Eynde says these vehicles will help clean up after storms. They will also pump water during floods and remove hornets. 

The fire zone has put tools in these vehicles for different jobs. This helps them respond quickly to problems that are not fires. The fire zone wants to