Groningen municipalities test emergency support points

The Safety Region Groningen, in collaboration with the municipalities of Eemsdelta and Westerkwartier, is conducting pilot tests for emergency support points in Den Horn and Farmsum. These tests, scheduled for November 7 and November 14, 2026, aim to evaluate how local residents can access reliable information and assistance during prolonged power outages that may also disable telephone and internet services.

During these exercises, untrained volunteers will staff the support points at the ’t Hornhuis in Den Horn and the Aeolus community center in Farmsum. The goal is to determine if the system can function effectively using local residents without specialized training. These points are designed to serve as hubs for sharing information, requesting or offering help, and relaying community signals to a regional coordination center connected to emergency services.

Eemsdelta Mayor Ben Visser emphasized the importance of practical testing, stating that practicing together ensures all parties understand their responsibilities so they can act quickly and effectively during a real crisis. The municipality clarified that these support points are not emergency shelters and will not initially provide food, drinking water, or phone charging facilities.