Brussels strengthens flood emergency preparedness

One of the key activities undertaken was the organisation of a "serious game" — a dynamic and immersive simulation designed to train participants in managing a flood emergency. This event was developed in collaboration with CORTEX, Wallonia’s crisis management centre, renowned for their expertise in emergency preparedness.

During the simulation, 14 participants from the city administration were assigned random roles, ranging from high-level decision-makers to operational staff working on the ground.

Throughout the exercise, they were confronted with a realistic and evolving flood scenario that challenged their ability to coordinate, make quick decisions, and manage resources under pressure.

The serious game experience was both entertaining and intense, but most importantly, it succeeded in its mission:

• Improving risk awareness among city staff

• Building a stronger risk culture across all departments

• Revealing the readiness and motivation of our employees to step up during a real climate crisis

The enthusiasm and commitment shown during the exercise clearly demonstrated that the City of Brussels has a strong foundation of individuals ready to act when disaster strikes.

Building on this momentum, Brussels is now actively creating a reserve of trained volunteers drawn from city employees. This reserve will form a crucial pillar of our disaster response strategy, ensuring that we have a skilled, organized, and responsive team ready to be deployed in emergencies.