History
Our logo reflects the individuality and vision of the organization. You will no longer recognize us by the red rectangle, but from now on with a new logo with colored overlapping arches.
The conference name (and abbreviation) are in graceful sleek black letters. This symbolizes the professionalism of our program; a combination of trade show and engaging lectures. Doctors, professors and other subject matter experts offer various new insights. This also earns the program accreditation points.
The logo is composed of 5 colored arches, they represent the different disciplines within the organization of emergency and intervention plans in our country.
- D1 - Fire Department (red)
- D2 - Medical services (green)
- D3 - Police (blue)
- D4 - Logistics services (orange)
- D5 - Communications (black)
The overlap symbolizes the cooperation between all services. A cooperation necessary in the management of the disaster.
HISTORY
1992
The congress was first organized in 1992, then at the Sparrenduin congress center (De Haan). From the very first edition, a substantive program was prepared where professors, doctors, specialists and other experts shared their research, experiences and findings with the large number of attendees.
Whereas in the early years the programs drew their inspiration mainly from the nearby and Red Cross context, more and more external speakers from home and abroad were programmed. They both looked back at recent disasters (Bijlmermeer plane crash, Switel fire) and looked ahead at how to address future events (expansion of CP-OPS, role of the military, corpse care).
A nice cooperation with firms from the medical sector was immediately established, building a trade fair in addition to the content program. Some of the current exhibitors have been there since the early years: Laerdal, Covarmed, DirkDeHaes (fire shop) and Vandeputte Medicals return to SMR every year. It makes the congress more than strong lectures, but thus also makes the connection with the medical materials and devices needed.
2002
From the 6th edition in 2002, the congress continued at the Floreal center in Blankenberge and the SMR logo was introduced (with the snake as the medical symbol in the letter S). The core business of the program remains the organization and improvement of disaster management. As a result, several disasters again became part of the program: the fireworks disaster in Enschede, the tsunami in Southeast Asia, the earthquake in India, the plane crash in Schiphol Airport, the shooting incident Norway and the train disaster in Wetteren. Some elements of the SMR program unfortunately got translated into reality years later: pandemic planning and dealing with terrorism in Belgium.
As of 2004, the congress was always introduced by the provincial governor or service deputy: Governor Paul Breyne, Governor Decaluwé and district commissioner Ann Martens were always there as those ultimately responsible for disaster operations within the province.
Collaboration with companies also continued to expand. Rauwers, Autographe, NWS, Dias, cupola, feet First and AED solutions made their first appearance and have not left since.
2010
In the celebration edition (10th edition) we had the besides the presence of a brass band, Marc Van Ranst and an expert in 3D training programs. That was also when a main sponsor was put in the spotlight for the first time: Land Rover was allowed to spearhead the event that year. The editions that followed regularly saw companies presenting their cooperation with Red Cross West Flanders and their innovations: TVH (2014), Elfa (2016), AB Technics (2022).
Each year, the content of the program was expanded to cover the entire spectrum of disaster management: from floods to crisis communication, from child trauma to heart massage and from nuclear reactors to the Olympic Games. In 2020 and 2021 the covid-19 virus prevented the organization of the congress, in 2022 the thread could fortunately be taken up again with the known concept.
2024
In 2024, we went further to remain relevant and contemporary as a congress. In the congress hall, this is reflected, among other things, by including Artificial Intelligence in the program, but also by allowing more interactivity between audience and speakers. The side program was also able to attract many interested parties. Check out the program of 2024:
At the trade fair, the experience aspect was further expanded to include a large booth of our main sponsor Defender Spegelaere, also the more than 30 other booths were crowded throughout the day.
All programs SMR
Through this link you can review all programs from the 1992 - 2022 editions.