State Secretary Derk Boswijk expects that defence protocols for military exercises during dry spells will need to be updated. Speaking on the programme Goedemorgen Nederland, the CDA politician explained that he cannot provide a final decision yet, as the investigation into this week’s wildfires is still underway.
Boswijk anticipates that the findings will be released soon. His goal is to ensure all safety rules are modernised before the military resumes any exercises involving live fire or pyrotechnics.
Since Thursday, the military has already introduced emergency measures due to the drought. General Onno Eichelsheim, Commander of the Armed Forces, confirmed that troops have stopped using heat-generating ammunition and pyrotechnics. Soldiers have even been told to stop outdoor cooking to reduce the risk of accidental fires.
These changes come as almost the entire Netherlands is placed under a ‘Phase 2’ wildfire alert. This is the highest warning level, meaning the fire service is on high alert for blazes started by simple accidents, such as discarded cigarettes or garden waste.
Boswijk noted that while every exercise involves a mountain of paperwork and risk assessments, the current rules may no longer be fit for purpose. He suggested that because the Netherlands is facing longer and more frequent droughts, the old safety standards must be reassessed for a changing climate.
While the State Secretary admitted the recent wildfires were a situation “we would rather not see,” he praised the firefighting teams for their “impressive” response. He also highlighted that the cooperation between emergency services and the Ministry of Defence had been highly effective.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
