Londerzeel (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Flemish Brabant West fire zone installed 4 drones, operated by Citymesh, to improve emergency response. Spokesperson Wouter Jeanfils highlights faster action, thermal imaging, and enhanced firefighter safety.
As VRT News reported, in Londerzeel, Belgium, the Flemish Brabant West fire zone is now using drones to help during emergencies. This is part of a new pilot project that experts call a major step forward in firefighting. Wouter Jeanfils, spokesperson for the district, said drones are
“one of the most important technical innovations of recent years.”
The fire department has 4 drones in operation. They are placed in Affligem, Ninove, the PIVO site in Relegem (Asse), and on the roof of the SKO Vollezele canteen in Pajottegem. Even though the drones are in these locations, trained pilots control them from centres in Hasselt (Limburg), Oostkamp (West Flanders), and Marche-en-Famenne (Luxembourg).
“As soon as we receive a call about a fire via 112, we notify Citymesh,”
Explains Jeanfils.
“They operate the drones. They then immediately dispatch the drone closest to the fire.”
How are drones transforming emergency response in Flemish Brabant West?
Recently, a pool house in Ternat caught fire. From the street, firefighters could not see that the smoke had reached a railway line behind the garden. Drone cameras showed the smoke. The technology gave responders better information, helped them act faster, and improved safety. Jeanfils said drones are more than a tool; they are now a vital part of emergency work.
“Even before our first firefighters arrive on the scene, we’re already receiving live images via the drone,
Says Jeanfils.
“This way, we’re immediately one step ahead of the fire. Where are the flames? Is there a chance of them spreading or even spreading? We now have answers to all these questions much faster.”
The Flemish Brabant West fire district is using drones to improve emergency responses and avoid unnecessary call-outs.
“We often get calls about car fires along the highway,
Says Wouter Jeanfils, spokesperson for the district.
The images from the drone immediately show which reports are false alarms and which require urgent action. The same applies to fire alarms in buildings.”
Officials mentioned that drones allow firefighters to focus on real emergencies, saving time and protecting both the public and the crews. The drones also provide thermal images, which help spot heat sources that are hard to find.
“Many times, we receive reports of a ‘burning smell’ on a street,”
Jeanfils explains.
“In the past, locating the source could take a long time. Now we can find the problem quickly and precisely.”
The district has already invested in 4 drones and begun training 6 officers. Training sessions are scheduled in September 2025 and January 2026 to ensure the team can operate the drones effectively.
“In Blekeristraat in Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, it wasn’t visible to the naked eye that an adjacent warehouse was threatened by the flames,
Says Jeanfils.
The thermal images did provide us with that information, which immediately alerted us.”
Each drone costs about €5,000, which Jeanfils says is a small price for the benefits they bring. Jeanfils stresses that drones are no longer just a tool; they are now essential for modern firefighting.
“For example, we used drone footage during our search for a drowning victim in Hofstade,
Says Jeanfils.
During a chemical intervention, we can now also prospect without two people in chemical suits having to do the job.”
Belgium has already tested similar drone projects in other regions to help emergency services. In cities like Genk and Brugge, drones are being used to give firefighters and police a view from above. The drones can spot smoke, locate fires, and even identify people in danger.
Another project called the Safety Drone Shield has launched 70 drones across the country. These drones have cameras and 5G technology to send live images to control rooms. They can be sent out quickly after an emergency call.
