In what follows, names of procedures, plans etc. are given in English (for clarity) followed by the correct name in Dutch (for reference) The Dutch name is not given if it is sufficiently similar to the English.

To ensure a homogeneous structure for disaster planning in Belgium, the various provisions have been unified in a Royal Decree for Emergency & Intervention Plans (EIP)/KB betreffende nood- en interventieplannen (NIP).

The EIP structure corresponds to the administrative organisation of Belgium: a federal level under the Ministry of the Interior, a provincial level under the provincial governor and the municipal level under the mayor.

The different “phases” for reacting to disasters are linked to the different administrative levels, with successive alarm levels being declared by these authorities. In the case of the port there are two types of EIP that apply, namely the General and Special EIP.

General Emergency & Intervention Plans (GEIP)

Algemene Nood- en Interventieplannen (ANIP)

The municipal and provincial plans constitute the General Emergency & Intervention Plans: they lay down procedures for dealing with any emergency situation. The disaster plan for each municipality is based on the EIP together with the Fast Rescue Organisation/Organisatie Snelle Redding and the Medical Intervention Plan/Medisch Interventieplan. For the purpose of disaster planning, the concept of “phase” is used to distinguish the nature and seriousness of the disaster, and thus the administrative authority involved. A distinction is made between:

-          Operational Coordination at municipal level (formerly phase 1)

In the City of Antwerp the term “Local Coordination” is used. This phase can be declared by the fire chief. In this phase a Command Post for Operations (CP/OPS) is launched, which also takes care of policy coordination if required.

-          Municipal level (formerly phase 2)

This phase is declared by the mayor on the advice of the fire chief. The consequences are limited geographically to the mayor’s municipality or city. The mayor has general command and is able to call on all municipal resources. He/she can also call for reinforcements. Each municipality within the port area has its own GEIP

-          Provincial level (formerly phase 3)

In this phase the provincial governor has authority: the crisis situation extends beyond the municipal level in terms of the seriousness of the situation or its geographical extension. The resources are organised by the provincial disaster plans.

-          Federal level (formerly phase 4)

The minister of the interior takes authority in case of large-scale disasters that go beyond province boundaries. He/she can call on all possible resources.

Special Emergency & Intervention Plans (SEIP)

Bijzondere nood- en interventieplannen (BNIP)

In addition to the GEIP specific measures have been drawn up for particular risks, such as serious accidents to pipelines, Seveso companies or nuclear plants, air or rail crashes, and accidents occurring on the Scheldt estuary.

1. Scheldt estuary

In consultation with the competent authorities it has been decided to include disaster planning for the Scheldt estuary in the existing disaster plans for the provinces of Antwerp and East Flanders.

a) Province of Antwerp

The plan forms a supplement to the EIP for the city of Antwerp and the municipality of Zwijndrecht, and contains specific measures that have to be taken when a serious accident occurs (or threatens to occur) in the Scheldt estuary. However, these measures can be applied at every level of the EIP.

When such a situation occurs, the Shipping Police in consultation with the fire chief responsible may advise the mayor or provincial governor to declare the municipal or provincial phase respectively.

b) Province of East Flanders

In East Flanders, disaster planning is based on the General Provincial Disaster Plan for Assistance/Algemeen Provinciaal Rampenplan voor Hulpverlening. This plan covers all emergency situations, irrespective of the type of disaster.

At the same time, there are additional provisions to cover:

-          companies that come under the Seveso legislation (the Seveso directive);

-          flooding or disasters in the Scheldt estuary, rail crashes, air crashes or accidents occurring to Doel nuclear power station;

-          accidents involving toxic materials in general, or involving chlorine, ammonia or liquefied natural gas or other flammable gas in high pressure pipelines in particular, oil contamination of water courses, and air crashes with hydrazine and/or carbon fibres on board.

Seveso companies

Serious accidents in Seveso companies are included in the SEIP for each municipality. This applies also to companies for which there is a duty of notification. However, special measures have to be taken in dealing with serious accidents at these companies. These measures form a supplement to the EIP for the municipality concerned, and include measures that have to be taken whenever a serious accident occurs or threatens to occur.

When such a situation occurs, the fire chief responsible may advise the mayor or provincial governor to declare the municipal or provincial phase respectively. Until the exact perimeter of the disaster can be established, the risk area is taken as being as large as possible.