The Flemish government is going to provide 1 million euros per year and will encourage all municipalities to set up a volunteer corps. At least 32 municipalities are already prepared to start a corps. The government encourages all other municipalities to register this summer.
According to Flemish Minister of the Interior Hilde Crevits, 34 municipalities have already registered. In cooperation with the Red Cross, she is making another appeal. Such volunteer corps can be deployed during floods or water damage, heatwaves, power cuts, virus outbreaks,… In the Flemish-Brabant municipality of Lubbeek and in Brussels, similar projects already exist where volunteers are engaged.
Anyone can register
The Flemish government is financing the start-up costs of municipal volunteer corps of 10 to 80 volunteers with 1 million euros. Red Cross-Flanders will provide the training and coordination:
- Anyone over 16 years of age (with a clean criminal record) is eligible to register
- Every volunteer receives first aid training
- The Red Cross organises simulation exercises annually
Under the leadership of the mayor
The volunteer corps will fall under the leadership of the mayor. They will be able to make an appeal, but volunteers can never be obliged to participate. “Only municipalities can currently register. Participating municipalities will in turn launch an appeal to their residents. Registrations will start in the autumn”, it reads on the Red Cross website.
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