Frequently Asked Questions

Foreign emergency services are allowed to use sirens and flashing lights just like domestic emergency services. However, emergency services must comply with the guidelines in force in the country where they are located. This means that a Belgian ambulance in the Netherlands must follow Dutch guidelines. As this can be rather confusing, the EMRIC bureau has created special work cards, on which emergency services can easily see what is and what is not allowed when they are abroad.

There are several reasons why we cooperate within the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion. Below is a small summary of the most important reasons:

• To provide help as quickly as possible - Especially in border regions like the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion, it may well be that a foreign emergency service can be on the scene faster. In order to serve citizens as quickly as possible, we cooperate with our neighbouring countries.
• Assistance in large-scale incidents - In large-scale incidents, our own emergency services may not have sufficient capacity to extinguish the fire or care for and transport the number of injured. In these situations, outside help is needed which, in a border region like the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion, can often be provided fastest by neighbouring countries.
• Exchange of knowledge, specialisation and technology. By sitting down together regularly and exchanging information, we can not only learn from each other, but emergency services also get to know each other. Furthermore, each country has its own specialist equipment and techniques that the other countries can use.

The control room handling the 112 call considers which ambulance or fire engine can be at the scene the quickest. If this is a foreign service, the corresponding foreign control room is contacted, which sends the ambulance or fire engine to the scene of the incident. You cannot choose assistance from a particular country yourself.

Regardless of whether a domestic or foreign ambulance arrives on site, your preference will in principle be taken into account. However, the choice of hospital depends on several factors (e.g. the nature of your condition(s) and the available capacity of hospitals). As a result, unfortunately, no guarantee can be given that you will be admitted to the hospital of your choice.

Within the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion, emergency services are allowed to cross borders in order to provide the best assistance to their citizens. However, this cannot be taken for granted: within the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion, a number of agreements have been concluded between neighbouring countries, regulating issues such as finance, competences and liability. These agreements and the commitment of many employees make cross-border cooperation within this region possible.