Flanders – In a significant development for public safety, 55 of the 63 municipalities in Flemish Brabant, including Lubbeek, are forming a volunteer emergency corps. Governor Jan Spooren endorsed the initiative during a presentation on September 2, 2025, where mayors and emergency planners discussed the operational framework and municipal roles in enhancing community preparedness, reports 24brussels.
How are Flemish Brabant municipalities setting up a 55 volunteer corps with 16 registered?
As of now, 16 municipalities have officially registered with the Red Cross Flanders, with additional municipalities expected to enroll in the coming months. There is no set deadline for registration, which provides local governments the opportunity to evaluate the program thoughtfully.
The Flemish government is funding a substantial portion of the costs involved in the establishment and maintenance of the volunteer corps. This initiative aims to create a coordinated network of volunteers to bolster emergency response across the province.
Governor Spooren emphasized the importance of the volunteer corps as a vital community asset, stating that they foster solidarity while playing a crucial role during emergencies. These emergencies include disasters such as floods and major fires, along with other urgent situations.
While the Flemish government provides funding and training for the corps, local mayors are tasked with the management of the teams. Governor Spooren clarified that although the Red Cross organizes the training programs, local authorities are responsible for the corps’s daily operations.
The first volunteer corps in Flanders was initiated in Lubbeek a few years ago, led by Mayor Theo Francken (N-VA). Volunteers in that municipality have already engaged in emergency actions, such as sandbagging efforts during severe floods experienced in January of the previous year.
Other regions in Flanders have also implemented similar volunteer emergency corps initiatives. In West Flanders, municipalities like Kortrijk and Tielt are developing local volunteer groups to support emergency services. Additionally, the municipality of Veurne is preparing to create its own corps.
In Genk, the city is also forming a volunteer emergency group with the support of the Flemish government. This initiative is part of a broader civil resilience program set forth under the Flemish Defence Plan, coordinated by Minister Hilde Crevits.
