Mechelen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – 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 be flexible and work efficiently. They want to make sure special tasks can be done without putting too much work on other teams.
The fire zone has added two new Volvo XC40 command vehicles. These vehicles are for officers to travel and coordinate during emergencies. They help keep communication clear between the field and the main command center. This allows officers to oversee operations better.
How is Rivierenland Fire Zone Upgrading Its Fleet for Safety?
The Rivierenland fire zone has spent over 1.7 million euros to improve its fleet of vehicles. This money is used to buy new intervention vehicles that make operations safer and more efficient. The upgrade includes six Mercedes Sprinter material vehicles. These vehicles are important for jobs like cleaning up after storms, pumping water during floods, and getting rid of hornets. Major François Van den Eynde said these new vehicles make different interventions easier. They also keep both firefighters and residents safe. These upgrades are part of a bigger plan to modernize the fire zone. The goal is to provide the best tools to handle the challenges faced every day.
The fire zone plans to spend 3 million euros this year to improve its equipment. This money will buy a ladder truck, a multifunctional fire engine, vehicles for transporting personnel, another material truck, and two ambulances. These new vehicles will help the fire zone respond better to emergencies and keep safety high.
The Rivierenland fire zone protects 422,000 people in areas like Mechelen, Klein-Brabant, Heist-op-den-Berg, Lier, and the Rupelstreek. It has fifteen fire stations that work all day and night to keep the community safe. In 2023, the fire teams answered 17,570 calls, with 1,435 of them for fires. These numbers show how important it is to have a strong fire service to meet the needs of a growing population.
