Crossfire: First talks with property owners underway

The border region is soon to have a joint German-Dutch fire station. Talks are currently underway with property owners on both sides of the border to find a suitable location.

Soon there will be a joint German-Dutch fire station to protect citizens in the border region. Now the Crossfire Steering Group met to discuss the progress of the project.

Finding a suitable location for the fire station is a challenge for the cities in the border region: complex issues such as travel times for volunteer firefighters, construction and development costs, accessibility at all times of the day and night, and fire law criteria first had to be considered and clarified.

About a dozen possible locations have been examined in recent months for their suitability, availability and financing, the city of Bocholt and the municipality of Aalten have now announced. In the meantime, several promising locations on both sides of the border have emerged from this initial selection. Initial discussions are being held with landowners to determine whether and at what price the sites can be acquired.

The legal framework for even closer cooperation between the German and Dutch administrations is also being examined with a view to the project. Both fire brigades already work together intensively. In 2022, the Suderwick fire brigade was included in the Dutch call system, for about two weeks now even as the second vehicle to be sent out. Joint exercises are also taking place more and more frequently, and personal contacts are also being deepened.

Crossfire Steering Committee

The Crossfire steering committee consists of representatives of the two fire brigade units Suderwick and Dinxperlo, the mayors of the city of Bocholt and the municipality of Aalten, the Bocholt fire brigade chief, fire brigade chiefs, municipal representatives as well as employees of the "Veiligheidsregio Noord- en Oost-Gelderland" (VNOG).