Buggenhout’s 22 volunteers trained after police & fire drills

Brussels Morning Newspaper
Credit: Municipality of Buggenhout, Google Map

Buggenhout (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Buggenhout’s 22 new volunteers, trained in emergency response, will start in January 2026. Mayor Geert Hermans and Governor Carina Van Cauter will celebrate their certification on December 11, 2025.

As VRT News reported, Buggenhout, in the province of East Flanders, Belgium, has 22 new volunteers who have completed their full training. The group is diverse, including young adults in their early twenties and retired residents.

“They will be among the first in the region to be called upon starting January 1st for flooding, heat waves, and other emergencies,”

says Mayor Geert Hermans (CD8V)

“They can fill sandbags, but they can also close roads with signs so people can detour if a dangerous situation arises,”

the mayor explains.

“Their first aid knowledge is also refreshed every year with new training, so they stay familiar with the techniques. They will also continue to take other courses annually, so they always stay up-to-date.”

How are Buggenhout’s 22 new volunteers prepared to handle emergencies?

Volunteers learned to create emergency plans and handle crises. They visited police stations to see how operations work, joined exercises with the fire department, and received certified first aid training. 

“I’m glad people want to get involved in the community.”

Geert Hermans (CD&V), mayor of Buggenhout

“The training sessions were spread over four half-days,”

says Hermans.

“They weren’t overly difficult, but they were all necessary to learn to act in a structured manner.”

Buggenhout’s mayor said the town’s volunteer corps will start serving the community from January 1, 2025.

“I’m very pleased that there are people who demonstrate a sense of community,”

Hermans added.

“Although I certainly hope we’ll have to rely on them as little as possible.”

Each volunteer will receive a bright high-visibility jacket and safety shoes provided by the municipality. The town will hold an official ceremony next Thursday, December 11, 2025, to celebrate the completion of the training. During the event, all 22 volunteers will receive their certificates. The Governor of East Flanders, Carina Van Cauter, will attend the ceremony. 

Similar volunteer programs have been set up in other towns in Flanders in recent years. In October 2025, Roeselare launched its own volunteer corps, giving residents a chance to help in emergencies. Genk also started a volunteer emergency group later that year. These programs train local people to assist during crises such as floods, power outages, or other emergencies.

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