Security Region Amsterdam-Amstelland

Why security regions?

In 2010 the Home Affairs Department in The Hague decided to install 25 security regions in the Netherlands. In case of major incidents or disaster, regional local governments join forces with the police, fire squads, medical aid - and other parties if necessary.
Together they are able to deal effectively with large-scale emergency situations, where local capacity falls short.

The  greater Amsterdam region

The Security Region Amsterdam-Amstelland consists of the communities of Amsterdam, Amstelveen, Aalsmeer, Diemen, Ouder-Amstel and Uithoorn. Regular partners are the regional fire squad, police, medical aid and the public prosecution service. They operate under the security council,  led by the mayor of Amsterdam.

Tasks

The Security Region protects the safety of everyone living, working in, or visiting the region. It's main tasks are to prevent, fight and restore disaster situations with great threats to the health and safety of a large number of people or material damage, e.g.

• Fire
• Extreme weather and flooding
• Environmental disaster
• Failure in supply of electricity, gas, water, computer networks
• Traffic incidents
• Terrorism
• Diseases and epidemics. 

Sharing professionals and expertise

The Security Regions share the professionals, knowledge and experience of their partners. They train their organizations to cope efficiently and effectively with disasters, e.g. by large-scale exercises in fake crisis situations.  

Inform the public

Another important task of the Security Region is to inform the public of specific risks in their daily environment.  Goal is to promote self-suffiency. There are national and regional campaigns to increase the awareness of dangers and how to prepare for emergencies. Because safety concerns everyone.

Your security, your concern

A major incident or disaster in your area. You prefer not to think about it, of course.
Yet there is always a chance of something happening. Local government and professionals protect your safety. But they can not always be in time to help out. It saves lives if you prepare yourself for incidents most likely to occur in your region..

How to be prepared

You can prepare for an emergency situation in several ways.  It is important to inform yourself about the specific risks in your living and/or working environment. Make sure you know what to do and who to contact in case something happens.
You can make evacuation plans for your home and your family. Stock up with emergency supplies like candles, radio, medical aid kit and blankets.

Download instructions for emergencies here 

Emergencies: what to do?

Call 112

This is the general telephone number for all emergency services when urgent help is needed. You can call this numer in all countries of the Eurpean Union.

Local Police non-emergency: call 0900 - 8844

Utility emergency (gas, water, electricity) : call 0800 - 9009.

Check more Dutch helplines and essential numbers on website Iamsterdam

Go to www.crisis.nl

This website (in Dutch) informs the public in case of crisis and disaster on a regional or national scale. You can also go to the website of your local council.

Tune in to Radio TV Noord-Holland

This regional station (in Dutch) is the formal tv canal in case of emergencies in the greater Amsterdam region. Go to website (Dutch)

Tune in to Nederland 1

Nederland 1 the public tv canal for information in case of emergencies on a national scale. Go to website (Dutch)