Netherlands emergency support point pilot exercises

Overview

The municipalities of Eemsdelta and Westerkwartier, in collaboration with the Safety Region Groningen, are conducting pilot tests for Emergency Support Points (Noodsteunpunten) in Den Horn and Farmsum. Scheduled for November 7 and November 14, 2026, these exercises simulate a major power outage lasting 72 hours that disables electricity, internet, and telephone services.

The drills aim to evaluate how untrained volunteers can staff these hubs to provide information, handle requests for help, and relay community signals to a regional coordination center. Eemsdelta Mayor Ben Visser noted that practicing together ensures parties understand their responsibilities to act effectively during a real crisis. The municipality clarified that these points are not emergency shelters and will not initially provide food, water, or phone charging facilities.

This initiative is part of a nationwide pilot involving all safety regions in the Netherlands to investigate the effectiveness of such points, with a national advisory expected in early 2027.

Entities

Eemsdelta · Westerkwartier · Royal Netherlands Army · Groningen Safety Region · Ben Visser

Timeline

1 day ago

[POLITICS] 3 sources
Groningen municipalities test emergency support points
Municipalities in Groningen are testing emergency support points in Den Horn and Farmsum to prepare for long-term power outages and communication failures using local volunteers.
4 days ago

[POLITICS] 6 sources
Emergency support pilot exercise scheduled in Farmsum
Eemsdelta and Westerkwartier municipalities are piloting Emergency Support Points with a crisis drill in Farmsum on November 14, 2026, simulating a 72-hour power and communication outage.

Sources

beveiligingnieuws.nl · cypressnews.com · denderjournaal.be · eemskrant.nl · omroepede.nl · penseelstreek.nl · regioonline.nl · salland1.nl · westerwoldeactueel.nl