Central
The central government is responsible for:
- The management of emergency situations and firefighting;
- The protection and rescue of the population and of the heritage in case of armed conflicts, disaster, calamity, and terrorist attacks (help in case of flooding, population warnings, water supply in case of disaster...);
- Telecommunications, logistical and coordination support in times of emergency;
- The inspection of fire services, management of equipment and reinforcement of fire services;
- Combating pollution;
- Preventive missions;
- Equipment procurement;
- Telecommunications;
- Regulation, legal advice and disputes;
- Operational training;
- Interventions and crisis management
- International activities;
- Damages refunding.
Regional
The 10 provincial governors are responsible for drafting emergency plans to coordinate national and local elements in civil protection.
Emergencies are coordinated at the national or federal level however, when 2 or more provinces are involved.
Local
Provinces / Municipalities
Local authorities are responsible for:
- The organisation of fire brigades, and
- Fire brigade missions (wide range of civil protection missions) at local level.
Responsible ministries/bodies
Home Affairs FPS/FOD
Sources
Alain Gerlache, Johan Vande lanotte, Marc Uyttendaele, Siegfried Bracke, Geert Goedertier, La Belgique pour débutant, la Charte, Brugges, 2001.
Belgium Portal, official information and services
Competences of the federal government
Constitution of Belgium (Constitution belge texte coordonné du 17 février 1994)
The French speaking community (Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles)
Belgium, Disaster Management Structure, European Commission
