Due to the increased risk of societal disruption, the government wishes to establish a nationwide network of emergency support centres. An emergency support centre (ESC) is a physical location where people can seek refuge during large-scale disruptions, such as prolonged power cuts, communication failures, extreme weather conditions or societal disruption. Emergency support centres contribute to:
Local authorities are responsible for setting up local ESC’s where people can go with their queries. Safety regions are responsible for coordinating local ESC’s.
The development of emergency support points takes place through cooperation between ministries, safety regions, municipalities, emergency services, and the Netherlands Institute for Public Safety. In 2026, various pilots will be conducted to lead to national agreements on the functionalities, setup, and deployment of emergency support points.
A system of emergency support points already exists in Ukraine. Shortly after the large-scale invasion in 2022, the Ukrainian government decided to set up so-called ‘Points of Invincibility‘. Citizens can go there 24/7 for information, to shelter, to warm up, to charge their devices, or to seek contact with people in the neighborhood.
The central government facilitates the support points and handles coordination. For instance, the support points can be found via a government app (Diia). However, it is primarily local parties (municipalities, businesses, and local branches of the State Emergency Service) that set up, staff, and maintain the emergency support points. Due to regular and sometimes prolonged power outages, there is a great need for emergency support points, especially during the recent harsh winter in the country. Noodsteun Service B.V. is investigating the possibilities of equipping emergency support points in Ukraine with better and safer equipment.
A system of emergency support points already exists in Ukraine. Shortly after the large-scale invasion in 2022, the Ukrainian government decided to set up so-called ‘Points of Invincibility‘. Citizens can go there 24/7 for information, to shelter, to warm up, to charge their devices, or to seek contact with people in the neighborhood.
The central government facilitates the support points and handles coordination. For instance, the support points can be found via a government app (Diia). However, it is primarily local parties (municipalities, businesses, and local branches of the State Emergency Service) that set up, staff, and maintain the emergency support points. Due to regular and sometimes prolonged power outages, there is a great need for emergency support points, especially during the recent harsh winter in the country. Noodsteun Service B.V. is investigating the possibilities of equipping emergency support points in Ukraine with better and safer equipment.
There is a great deal involved in the planning, organisation and deployment of emergency response centres. Local authorities and emergency services have an extremely wide range of responsibilities, and this new responsibility is being added to that. Social resilience is best achieved through collaboration between public authorities, civil society organisations and the private sector.
To relieve municipalities and safety regions, Crisis Support Service offers support in planning and realization. We do this by working closely with all safety partners, staying connected to the development of national frameworks, and applying our unique and versatile expertise.
There is a great deal involved in the planning, organisation and deployment of emergency response centres. Local authorities and emergency services have an extremely wide range of responsibilities, and this new responsibility is being added to that. Social resilience is best achieved through collaboration between public authorities, civil society organisations and the private sector.
To relieve municipalities and safety regions, Crisis Support Service offers support in planning and realization. We do this by working closely with all safety partners, staying connected to the development of national frameworks, and applying our unique and versatile expertise.
Civil protection organisations and their personnel are protected under the laws of war. The relevant provisions can be found in Articles 61 to 67 of the First Additional Protocol to the Conventions. It defines ‘civil protection’; sets out rules on the identification of institutions and personnel; and stipulates that institutions and personnel must be protected (against attacks).
Het is van belang dat noodsteunpunten duidelijk herkenbaar zijn. Bij de ontwikkeling van landelijke kaders zal daarom aandacht moeten zijn voor herkenbaarheid, uitstraling en bewegwijzering. Een van de opties is om gebruikt te maken van het internationale kenteken van civiele bescherming: een gelijkzijdig blauwe driehoek op een oranje veld. In peacetime, this may be used, with the permission of the competent national authorities, to identify civil protection services.
Due to its protected status, it is prohibited to misuse the sign.
Civil protection organisations and their personnel are protected under the laws of war. The relevant provisions can be found in Articles 61 to 67 of the First Additional Protocol to the Conventions. It defines ‘civil protection’; sets out rules on the identification of institutions and personnel; and stipulates that institutions and personnel must be protected (against attacks).
Het is van belang dat noodsteunpunten duidelijk herkenbaar zijn. Bij de ontwikkeling van landelijke kaders zal daarom aandacht moeten zijn voor herkenbaarheid, uitstraling en bewegwijzering. Een van de opties is om gebruikt te maken van het internationale kenteken van civiele bescherming: een gelijkzijdig blauwe driehoek op een oranje veld. In peacetime, this may be used, with the permission of the competent national authorities, to identify civil protection services.
Due to its protected status, it is prohibited to misuse the sign.
Current and reliable information is essential before and during crisis situations. Therefore, we refer to the organizations and knowledge platforms below for more information about the emergency support points. As soon as it becomes available, information on where emergency support points can be found will also be provided here.
National Government – News report on investments in local and regional resilience
Nederlandveilig.nl – Information during an emergency
Association of Netherlands Municipalities – National pilot for emergency support points launched
Netherlands Institute for Public Safety – Emergency Support Points
WeerbaarNL.nl – Emergency Support Points / Community First Response
Current and reliable information is essential before and during crisis situations. Therefore, we refer to the organizations and knowledge platforms below for more information about the emergency support points. As soon as it becomes available, information on where emergency support points can be found will also be provided here.
National Government
News report on investments in local and regional resilience
Nederlandveilig.nl
Information during an emergency
Association of Netherlands Municipalities
National pilot for emergency support points launched
Netherlands Institute for Public Safety
Emergency Support Points
WeerbaarNL.nl
Emergency Support Points / Community First Response
