Public-private partnership
A public-private partnership (PPP) is a collaborative agreement between government entities and private sector companies to undertake a specific project or service that benefits the public. These partnerships leverage the strengths of both sectors. Fire Service Network Seaport-Scheldt (Dutch: Brandweernetwerk Zeehaven-Schelde, BZS) is a PPP aimed at industrial firefighting. It combines members from public firefighting authorities and brigades from industrial companies in the port.
Mission
The Fire Service Network Seaport-Scheldt (Dutch: Brandweernetwerk Zeehaven-Schelde, BZS) is committed to creating a safer port, where business continuity and risk management interests of our members are central. As the beating heart of cooperation between emergency services in the port, BZS coordinates the availability of materials, vehicles, and expertise for its members during emergencies. We focus on thorough preparation, effective response and thorough aftercare in large, complex and long-lasting incidents, striving for seamless cooperation in all phases of incident management.
Vision
Within the framework of the Fire Service Network Seaport-Scheldt (Dutch: Brandweernetwerk Zeehaven-Schelde, BZS), members join forces by sharing knowledge, vehicles and materials, making the network stronger and more efficient together in the event of major incidents. We create opportunities to be better prepared for emergencies, through joint training, knowledge exchange and joint procurement. Our goal is to deliver top safety care with maximum effectiveness and minimum cost, through collaboration in tackling the industrial maritime risk that is shared between the different companies with similar activities.
Activities
Industrial firefighting mutual aid
The core of BZS is the provision of a network focused on preparation and repression for industrial emergencies. This includes the deployment of resources (supported by a catalogue of equipment and vehicles) and making specialised personnel available.
Knowledge sharing
Developing an organisation aimed at actively sharing knowledge between the various members by creating mutual networks and connections where information can be exchanged transparently. BZS also stimulates connections with partner organisations such as TKIB, VIBNA , JOIFF, ...
Training & Exercises
The network provides education and training for key functions in industrial incident response for its members. It also organises inter-member exercises in preparation for public-private cooperation during a disaster.
Joint-procurement
BZS focuses on identifying the procurement needs of the various members for the critical equipment and vehicles for industrial incident response. These needs are then genaalyzed to identify opportunities to organise joint procurement, e.g. by organising a market survey.
Community building
Members within BZS are encouraged to get to know each other better. This is based on a philosophy that at the level of safety, all members are partners of each other, regardless of their activities or possible competition. Member meetings, working groups, an advisory group and informal contact moments contribute to this objective.
Achievements
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Establishment of an advisory group
The steering group of the Safety Region Seaport-Scheldt has asked to investigate the possibilities of cooperation regarding industrial fire fighting within the port area. Consequently, Port of Antwerp-Bruges and the two emergency response zones involved decided to set up a project group. This group, which started in 2021, was supported by a consultancy firm with expertise in facilitating public-private collaborations. The aim is to identify and implement effective partnerships for improved fire safety in the port.
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Delivery of an organisational plan
After a process of about a year and a half, the project group delivered an organisational plan that describes the basis for what we know today as the Fire Service Network Seaport-Scheldt (Dutch: Brandweernetwerk Zeehaven-Schelde, BZS). This document includes the aims and principles of the cooperation, the participating organisations, the organisational and managerial design, operational set-up, staffing, identity and housing considerations and a financial plan.
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Delivery of an overview of available resources
As part of the organisational plan, an initial overview of all available resources for industrial firefighting within the port area of the eight founding members of BZS was produced. This is the first time that a joint catalogue of equipment and vehicles was drawn up of public and private resources within Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
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Organisation of plenary sessions
The importance of improved cooperation for industrial firefighting was well received in the port community, so interest in participating in a structure such as BZS grew rapidly. The first plenary session of the project group was organised in late 2022, with the intention of informing a wider group of companies about the organisational plan and announcing the establishment of a public-private partnership. About 20 interventionists from chemical companies gathered to get acquainted with each other.
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Letter of intent to start cooperation
Following the successful delivery of the organisational plan, the parties in the project group entered into a declaration of intent to establish the Seaport-Scheldt Fire Network. Eight partners are at the birth of this network: Fire Zone Antwerp, Fire Zone Waasland, Port of Antwerp-Bruges (public members); BASF, Covestro, Evonik, ENGIE and Total Energies (private members).
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Establishment of a legal entity
After an intensive process focusing on the legal aspects of a public-private partnership (considerations about governance, liability, insurance, etc.), the statutes of Brandweernetwerk Zeehaven-Schelde vzw were published in the Belgian Official Journal in December 2023. The organisation thereby acquired its legal personality and exists as a separate legal entity.
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Organisation of virtual-reality training for members
A first practical service to BZS members consisted of organising a joint training with the help of an external training partner. This training focuses on executives of industrial fire brigades and non-commissioned officers of emergency response zones and is specifically aimed at working in a public-private partnership. Topics such as familiarity with specialised resources, technical jargon, standard procedures and consultation structures are covered. Participants mainly appreciate the cross-fertilisation between the various member companies in the training.
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Preparation of an overview of purchasing needs
BZS prepared an overview of the various procurement needs that exist among members. This is the first time that public and private parties have combined their planning for replacing and expanding their equipment and vehicles in one overview. This identified opportunities for organising joint market consultations in the future.
Leadership
Board of directors
BZS is led by a board of directors consisting of five representatives. A balance is kept between public parties, private entities and the port which has a dual role. This ensures there is always parity of governance in the organisation.
Col. Thierry Van Goethem
Thierry is Fire Chief of Hulpverleningszone Waasland.
Col. Bert Brugghemans
Bert is Fire Chief of Brandweer Zone Antwerpen.
Rob Smeets
Rob is Chief Operations Officer (COO) of Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
Ann Wurman
Ann is Director of essenscia, the Belgian chemical and life sciences sector federation.
Koen Verlackt
Koen is head of the internal prevention department at INEOS Manufacturing Belgium and is a representative of the Association of Industrial Companies of North Antwerp (VIBNA).
Network coordinator
The management of the network is done by a network coordinator, who acts as the primary contact for the management of operations, planning, communications, training and the oversight of various working groups.
Ben Windey
Ben is Incident Management Officer at Port of Antwerp-Bruges. As part of his responsibilities, he assumes the role of Network Coordinator for BZS.
General assembly
The general assembly is made up of all members in good standing. Meetings are held at least once a year.