Completion
As early as 2009, the search began for the best location and the right setup for the joint control room Midden-Nederland. Yvonne Hondema, police chief of the Midden-Nederland unit, is proud of her new building: “It was a process with many discussions, research, and necessary challenges. But it has ultimately succeeded. The newest and most modern control room in the Netherlands is now located in a new and up-to-date police station where it is pleasant to work for colleagues from the police, ambulance care, and the safety region/fire department. With nice spaces, good furniture, and modern technology in a beautiful location in the middle of the city.”
The new station was opened on Wednesday, October 1st, by Foort van Oosten, Minister of Justice and Security in the caretaker Schoof cabinet, and by representatives of the police, ambulance care, fire department, safety regions Gooi & Vechtstreek and Flevoland, and the National Control Room Cooperation (LMS). Also present were Gerhard van den Top, Mayor of Hilversum, and the chair of the safety region Gooi and Vechtstreek, along with the chair of the administrative steering group Control Room Midden-Nederland.
Milestone for National Control Room Cooperation
For LMS, this opening is a milestone. The location in Hilversum is the last to be connected to the total of ten cooperating control rooms in the Netherlands. Due to the connection of all control rooms, reports can easily be taken over by other locations in case of high traffic or major incidents. This guarantees that emergency assistance via 112 is always available – wherever and whenever it is needed. With the commissioning of the control room in Hilversum, Midden-Nederland is assured of a future-proof, efficient, and well-accessible emergency assistance structure.
Many Different Teams
The new police station is extra special because many different teams work together here for a safe Midden-Nederland. Yvonne Hondema: “In addition to having the Midden-Nederland control room here where police, ambulance, fire department, safety regions, and LMS collaborate, this building also houses the basic team of Gooi and Vechtstreek South, the District Investigation Team, the AVIM department, and the flex team. Additionally, the Regional Service Center where the 0900-8844 calls are answered (non-emergency, but police) and the Technical Supervision Team are also housed here. Finally, the interregional disaster and crisis center of the safety regions Gooi & Vechtstreek and Flevoland is located in this new building. The building is alive, day and night.”
Station and Control Room Operational for Several Months
Earlier this year, the police station Hilversum opened its doors at the new address on Groest. Residents have been able to go to the station since February for reports, questions, and other services. The new control room has also been operational for several months. In June, the control rooms from Lelystad and Utrecht moved to the brand new joint control room of Midden-Nederland on Groest. Since then, all 112 calls from the residents of Midden-Nederland have been directed to Hilversum.
