Government launches Think Ahead campaign: preparing for emergencies increasingly important

“Every day we rely on everyday utilities like electricity and tap water. But what do you do if the power suddenly goes out and there is no water from the tap for days?”, says outgoing Minister van Oosten of Justice and Security. “In an emergency, help may take longer to arrive. With the campaign, we show how important it is to be able to take care of yourself and your household. With an emergency kit, emergency plan, or conversation with your family or neighbors, you create calm during an emergency. More and more people are already preparing. Also the government and businesses. But action is needed from everyone. That is why I call on you: Think Ahead. And prepare yourself too. Because those who prepare well can help themselves and others when needed. This way, as a society, we become more resilient and can show resistance and resilience when necessary.”

In an emergency, the government and emergency services are where they are needed most. They do this to quickly bring the crisis under control and to bring people to safety. They cannot be everywhere at once. Therefore, most people are on their own for the first 72 hours. It is therefore important that you can take care of yourself and your household during the first three days.

For most Dutch people, it is not a question of if an emergency will occur, but when, according to recent research. The campaign helps citizens prepare for the consequences of prolonged outages of daily utilities such as electricity, water, or internet. Three steps are central: make an emergency kit, create an emergency plan, and talk to each other and help each other.

Step 1: Make an emergency kit

• With an emergency kit, you are well prepared to endure the first 72 hours of an emergency at home. Assembling an emergency kit is easier than you think. You probably already have many items at home: bottles of water, non-perishable food, a flashlight with batteries, a power bank, a small first aid kit, cash, a blanket. But is it enough for 72 hours? Look carefully at your own situation and what extra you need: think of baby food, medication, or food for your pet.

Step 2: Make an emergency plan

• An emergency is hard to predict. Therefore, it is good if you have thought in advance about what to do in an emergency. This can be done with an emergency plan. It contains clear agreements with the people around you about what you will do. For example, how to reach each other, where to meet, who picks up the children from school, and who needs extra help.

Step 3: Talk to each other and help each other

• People can feel uncertain or worried about the thought of an emergency. Or someone may need help preparing. By talking to each other, you hear how others cope and can help each other. Maybe someone has not thought about what to do at all and you help them get started. Or maybe you dont know where to start and it helps if someone thinks along with you.

On www.denkvooruit.nl you will find concrete action perspectives to help you prepare for an emergency. Those who prepare well can help themselves and others when needed. The website also explains the risks in the Netherlands.

The Think Ahead campaign informs citizens about how to prepare for 72 hours without electricity, water, or internet. Central are: make an emergency kit, create an emergency plan, and talk to each other and help each other. The Think Ahead campaign can be seen on TV and online and heard on the radio in November.

The National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security (NCTV) coordinates the Think Ahead campaign. The campaign is carried out in close cooperation with national, regional, and local governments, businesses, and social partners. For more information about resilience, visit www.nctv.nl/onderwerpen/w/weerbaarheid.