The Brussels Region is prepared to respond swiftly to attacks similar to the recent Christmas market incident in Magdeburg, Germany.
“The risk is never zero but everyone is ready to intervene,” said Sophie Lavaux, Director General of safe.brussels. “The region can quickly coordinate a security operation if something happens.”
Services involved in these operations include firefighters, public health, police zones, federal police, Brussels Mobility and Cleanliness, the regional government, the minister-president’s office, the regional security council, and local municipalities.
As always, safe.brussels is responsible for coordinating crises and disasters within the region.
On New Year’s Eve, typically a busy night for emergency services, the various police zones operate under the command of Michel Goovaerts, head of the Brussels-Capital – Ixelles police zone, in collaboration with other Brussels police chiefs. However, it is safe.brussels that oversees all security and emergency services from the Regional Crisis Centre (RCCR).
Every hour, the security body holds a strategic meeting with all involved services and sends regular updates to the nineteen mayors. Safe.brussels also consults with the office of the Brussels minister-president and, if necessary, the National Crisis Centre and the Prime Minister’s office.
