Red Cross seeks additional instructors in Vlaamse Rand: goal to train 8,000 citizens in first aid

To train 8,000 citizens in the Vlaamse Rand in First Aid by 2030. To achieve this ambitious goal, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders is investing additional resources in their local operations. They are getting the support of Minister of the Vlaamse Rand Ben Weyts for this. This is also necessary, because the Vlaamse Rand belongs to the regions of Flanders with the least number of First Aid courses.

"Today we train about 500 citizens a year in the Vlaamse Rand, we want to increase that to 2,000 a year or 8,000 by 2030. This is why we are investing in the short term in additional professional instructors and looking for new volunteer instructors," said Philippe Vandekerckhove, Chief executive officer, CEO of Belgian Red Cross-Flanders.

Together with Flemish Rand Minister Ben Weyts, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders launched a new campaign in Dilbeek: Hart voor de Rand. An ambitious project to significantly strengthen first aid knowledge in the 19 municipalities of the Vlaamse Rand.

Minister Weyts: "The Vlaamse Rand is the heart of the country, full of people working hard. But what to do if a heart suddenly stops, or there is another emergency? We want to make sure there are always people around who know what to do. Whether it's a cardiac arrest, someone choking, or a child cut or burned: first aid can save lives. Therefore, together with the Red Cross, we invest in training for residents of our region. This is how we strengthen the self-reliance of our people and make our Rand a lot safer."

More instructors, more training

With the efforts of about 30 volunteer instructors, local Red Cross branches train about 500 people a year. "We want to quadruple this to 2,000 trained people per year. We are going to use professional instructors for this in the region as well as recruit additional volunteer instructors," said Vandekerckhove, "Here's an appeal, if you want to teach other people how to save a human life and not stand by helplessly during an emergency, be sure to sign up with us."

To meet the target, the organization is looking for about 30 additional volunteer instructors. This fall Belgian Red Cross-Flanders is organizing a first instructor training course with a focus on the region. From 2026 onwards, at least 3 more will follow each year, specifically for the Vlaamse Rand "This way we systematically strengthen our operation in the Vlaamse Rand" it sounds.

CPR and defibrillation

The additional training that the Red Cross will organize for the general public will consist of two types: the "CPR and defibrillation" module (3h) and the 12-hour broad basic first aid training.

 "We see that actually only 5 to 10 percent of people really know how to perform CPR. That figure can go up. If you have a cardiac arrest in Belgium, the chance of survival is less than 1 in 10. In some it is higher, a good knowledge of CPR among bystanders often makes the difference here." explains Belgian Red Cross-Flanders .

Do you live in the Vlaamse Rand? Do you feel like giving an occasional first aid lesson in your spare time?

Sign up via this link. "We are happy to invite you for an informal introductory meeting and guide you step by step in your path to becoming a certified instructor" says Bert Van Driessche of Belgian Red Cross-Flanders.