Disaster simulation at Brussels-Central station goes smoothly

Emergency services participated in a disaster simulation at Brussels-Central station on Friday evening, mobilising more than 500 people to test and tweak protocols for a terrorist attack.

The full-scale exercise aimed to test the effectiveness of intervention and cooperation procedures between the capital’s various emergency and security services, with the goal of preparing the various teams to react quickly and effectively in the event of a real emergency.

“Holding exercises in crisis management is necessary to ensure the safety of citizens, both at regional and municipal level,” said Sophie Lavaux, governor for crisis management in the Brussels region and director-general of safe.brussels.

“Every crisis is unique, and it is while preparing for the most complex scenarios that we can increase our chances of saving real lives. This year, we chose to simulate a violent attack in a city environment to test the coordination between the different emergency services.”

Several hundred participants, including police officers, firefighters, doctors, military personnel and, for the first time, volunteers from the civil reserve RCCSC as active extras, were deployed to recreate a true-to-life crisis situation.

This year's scenario simulated an armed attack by three individuals. After preparing themselves in the square in front of the station's main entrance, the pretend assailants entered the halls and platforms, taking hostages in a parked train.

Along the way, they caused several pretend casualties before being neutralised by the police.

The exercise lasted from midnight to 4.00 so as to minimise the disruption. Due to the exercise, Stib buses did not operate the usual stop at the station, but rather a temporary stop some 30 metres away.

Staff were on site to inform and escort passengers and the exercise had no impact on train traffic.