What we do

We ensure mutual co-operation in preparations for and in the event of a major fire, serious accident, or disaster.

We are the connecting factor, co-ordinating the deployment of emergency services.

We work with municipalities, companies, residents, and other partners to keep the Kennemerland area safe. We connect, facilitate, and co-ordinate so all parties can easily reach one another when necessary.

We plan ahead, establish co-operation agreements, and provide joint exercises. Based on evaluations, we also decide whether any further appointments or training is required. As a resident of Kennemerland, this means you can count on professionals standing by to provide help and advice when needed.

We have safety co-operation agreements with:

• The municipalities of: Beverwijk, Bloemendaal, Haarlem, Haarlemmermeer, Haarlemmerliede and Spaarnwoude, Heemskerk, Heemstede, Uitgeest, Velsen and Zandvoort

• Schiphol

• Tata Steel

• Ministry of Defence

• Public Prosecution Department

• PWN, Waternet, Liander, Hoogheemraadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier, Rijkswaterstaat and ProRail

• Port of Amsterdam

• Other Safety Regions

• Province of Noord-Holland

• Ministries including the Ministry of Security and Justice

   

   

1. Preparing for a crisis or disaster

   We plan

   We strive to learn as much as possible from practice exercises and adjust our policy accordingly. The emergency services have outlined explicit rules for mutual co-operation during an incident; that way everyone knows exactly what to do. These agreements are part of our policy plans. We have also drawn up a risk profile, which is an inventory and analysis of existing risks in our area. Based on these risks, a crisis plan and a disaster control plan have been drawn up. We also set out guidelines for our training and practice exercises. The Safety Region maintains ongoing improvement by evaluating large-scale incidents, exercises, and the implementation of co-operation agreements. If necessary, agreements can be adjusted. For more information see: how to proceed after an incident?

    

   We practice and train

   All emergency response staff are well-trained and regularly participate in exercises. The various services do this separately as well as together and with other agencies and organisations. We call this Multidisciplinary Education, Training, and Practice (MOTO). MOTO ensures that we are always optimally prepared for a potential crisis or disaster. We test plans and procedures, share knowledge, and develop the crisis teams. Contact us to learn more about how we do this and when training takes place.
   

2. Handling a crisis or disaster
   In the event of a crisis, disaster, or major accident, the Kennemerland Safety Region’s crisis organisation takes action. Employees of this organisation are trained in how to act during a crisis situation. All tasks and responsibilities are laid out in the crisis plan.
   The VRK crisis organisation consists of four teams:
   - Dispatch room
   - Incident Site Command Team (CoPI)
   - Operational Team (OT)
   - Policy Team (BT)
   

3. How to proceed after an incident
   If a GRIP incident has occurred in the Kennemerland area, it's important for us to know whether assistance was provided according to standards and, above all, what we can learn from the incident. We then evaluate the overall handling of the incident with the involved officials and emergency services. Evaluating GRIP incidents is a valuable learning tool and, if necessary, helps lay out updated agreements. This helps us maintain professionalism when providing care and puts our emergency plans to the test. Are our current agreements still up-to-date and useful? We also look closely at safety in other regions. There may be an incident elsewhere in the Netherlands that the Kennemerland team can learn from. 
   
   What do we do?
   Preparation       Handling              After the incident
   More about what we do