See more of Dutch Brief in your Google search results
If you are near Schiphol on Thursday 19 November and notice a lot of emergency vehicles or hear sirens throughout the day, there is no need to worry. The airport is holding a large safety exercise and has made it clear that nothing is actually wrong.
What is happening
On 19 November, emergency services and crisis organisations will come together at Schiphol to practice handling a “large-scale safety incident.” The exercise will simulate a serious event involving an aircraft. Many groups are involved, such as the police and its Special Intervention Service (DSI), the fire brigade, ambulance services, Defence (the armed forces), the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee (the military police responsible for border and airport security), the Kennemerland safety region, KLM, and Schiphol.
The goal is for all these groups to practice working together on a complex situation that requires teamwork. Schiphol explains that during major incidents, many organisations need to share information quickly. By training together, emergency responders, administrators, and crisis organisations stay ready for real emergencies.
SPONSORED
You’re overpaying your accountant. And they still don’t call you back.
Neno gives you a dedicated bookkeeper, automated admin, real-time financial insights and a free business bank account. Everything your business needs, in one place.
No chasing. No surprises. No unnecessary costs.
What you might see and hear
The exercise will happen inside the secure area of the airport, behind the fences where the planes are parked. Still, some parts might be visible from public roads. During the day, you may also see police and emergency vehicles with flashing lights and sirens moving between different places nearby.
Schiphol mainly wants to reassure everyone: if you see or hear a lot of emergency activity around the airport that day, there is no need to think something is wrong. It is all part of the planned drill. Remember, if a vehicle with flashing lights and a siren comes near, always give it space, even if you know it is just an exercise.
Will it affect flights?
The airport says that travellers flying on 19 November should not worry about delays. The plans have been made together with KLM and emergency services, and Schiphol is working hard to keep any disruption for travellers, local residents, and normal air traffic as low as possible. There are no cancelled flights, closed runways, or closed roads announced.
As a sensible precaution, if you are driving to the airport that day, it is a good idea to leave a bit earlier and check your flight status with your airline or the airport before you go. Still, the exercise should not cause any problems for your journey, and seeing emergency crews at work is planned and nothing to worry about.