The Hague Tests Emergency Support Points to Help Residents During Crises
The Hague has begun testing neighbourhood emergency support points (noodsteunpunten) to help residents during major emergencies, such as prolonged power cuts. The first practical exercise took place in Transvaal on Thursday 8 October, with further exercises planned in three other neighbourhoods throughout October.
The initiative aims to explore how local communities, volunteers and the municipality can work together to support residents when essential services such as electricity, water, telephone networks or internet connections are disrupted.
First Emergency Exercise in Transvaal
During the first exercise, Transvaal Library was temporarily transformed into an emergency support point. Residents involved in neighbourhood networks, welfare organisations, cultural institutions and The Hague Market joined municipal employees in a simulated emergency.
The scenario involved a power cut that had already lasted 16 hours, leaving residents without electricity, working lifts, telephone services or internet access. Participants were told that the disruption could continue for another two to three days.
The exercise explored how residents could help one another, what neighbourhood networks could organise themselves, and when an emergency support point would be needed to provide information or report urgent situations.
One example involved drinking water. During prolonged power cuts, water pressure can fall, potentially leaving residents on higher floors without access to drinking water. Participants worked together to organise water distribution to those most in need.
The Importance of Neighbourhood Connections
Mayor Jan van Zanen praised the involvement of local residents in the exercise.
“The Hague is a city where we look out for one another. Through this municipal pilot, we can see how quickly an emergency support point can become a place where residents can obtain information, ask for assistance and help each other, thanks to the commitment and knowledge of volunteers and neighbourhood networks.”
The municipality hopes the exercises will provide a better understanding of how emergency support points should operate and what resources, staff and equipment would be required.
More Emergency Exercises Across The Hague
The pilot programme includes four neighbourhoods, selected to reflect different population groups, types of housing and mobility needs.
The following exercises are scheduled:
- Transvaal: Thursday 8 October, Transvaal Library (completed)
- Benoordenhout: Wednesday 14 October, HDM Sports Hall
- Ypenburg: Monday 19 October, Ypenburg Library
- Scheveningen: Monday 26 October, De Blinkerd Sports Centre
The exercises involve local residents, neighbourhood organisations, sports clubs, cultural and religious organisations and other community networks.
These are temporary, simulated emergency support points. Permanent facilities are not yet in operation in The Hague. The municipality is using the pilot to determine how they could best be established and managed.
Part of a National Emergency Preparedness Initiative
The Hague’s pilot forms part of a nationwide initiative involving all 25 Dutch safety regions (veiligheidsregio’s).
The municipality is working with Leidschendam-Voorburg and the Haaglanden Safety Region to test how emergency support points could operate in practice.
The results will be evaluated and shared with the national government to support the development of a wider network of emergency support points across the Netherlands.
According to Mayor Van Zanen, the exercises have already demonstrated the value of neighbourhood involvement, although further work will be needed to develop a properly functioning system.
How Residents Can Prepare for an Emergency
The municipality is also encouraging residents to prepare for situations in which electricity, water or communications services may be unavailable for an extended period.
Through the national Denk Vooruit (Think Ahead) campaign, households are encouraged to prepare an emergency kit, make an emergency plan and discuss with neighbours how they could support one another.
For international residents, information is available in English and several other languages.
The municipality offers a free Buurtcheck (Neighbourhood Check), a practical tool that helps neighbours discuss how they would respond to an emergency and identify anyone who might need additional support.
Residents can use these resources to make arrangements within their street, apartment building or neighbourhood, rather than waiting until an emergency occurs.
More information:
Gemeente Den Haag – Original Press Release (Dutch):
https://www.denhaag.nl/pers/persberichten/eerste-praktijktest-met-noodsteunpunt-in-transvaal/
Gemeente Den Haag – Preparing for an Emergency, including the Neighbourhood Check in English and other languages:
https://www.denhaag.nl/nl/veiligheid/voorbereiden-op-een-noodsituatie/
Denk Vooruit – National Emergency Preparedness Information (English):
https://english.denkvooruit.nl/
Source: Gemeente Den Haag
Translation to English/Editing: The Hague Online
Image Credit: Valerie Kuypers / Gemeente Den Haag
