Disaster or crisis

Fortunately, the likelihood of a major disaster or crisis occurring in your area ( neighbourhood ) is very low. However, if there is an immediate danger due to a disaster or emergency, you will be alerted by the siren. If you have set up NL-Alerton your cell phone, you will also receive a notification. Stay as calm as possible, go indoors, close doors and windows, and turn on the radio or TV to the regional station (Radio West – 89.3 FM).

The sirens are tested every first Monday of the month at 12:00 PM.

What to do?

  • Enter the nearest building as quickly as possible.
  • Close all doors and windows. Also turn off any ventilation systems.
  • Offer shelter to people who ring your doorbell.
  • Warn people who do not notice the siren.
  • Tune in to the emergency broadcast station. This station provides information and instructions from the government. In the event of a disaster in your neighbourhood , the station is Omroep West. You can also visit the Hollands Midden veilig website at . The live blog on this site will keep you immediately informed of any incidents in the neighbourhood.
  • During a national disaster, the emergency broadcaster is NPO1 or NPO Radio 1.
  • Check Crisis.nl. During an emergency, you will find all information regarding the disaster here.

If you must leave your home and surroundings

  • Shut off gas, water, and electricity.
  • Take only absolute essentials with you.
  • Lock up your home and make sure your neighbours know that an evacuation is taking place.
  • In the event of a major fire, stay low to the ground and leave the building as quickly as possible. Unable to do so? Then stand in front of a window where the fire brigade can see you.

Transportation

  • Take as many others with you as possible.
  • Listen to traffic information via the radio.
  • Follow the route indicated by the police.
  • Go to the reception centre or go to family or friends outside the disaster area.
  • For those in need of assistance, the elderly, and schoolchildren, special transport is available during a disaster or crisis. The institutions (care or nursing homes and/or schools) where these people are at that time will arrange this.

What should I not do when the siren sounds?

  • If the siren sounds, never call the national emergency number 112. Do not call the local police, fire brigade, or ambulance service either. This can overload the telephone exchanges, which has serious consequences for dispatching emergency assistance.
  • Do not pick up your children from school. Children who are at school must remain there and will be cared for by the school.

Extra information

The government will notify you via NL-alert about an emergency in your immediate vicinity. You will then receive a message on your cell phone. This message will explain what is happening and what you should do. NL-Alert is an additional emergency alert system.

Did this information help you?