B-FAST IN SHORT
B-FAST (Belgian First Aid and Support Team) is a governmental structure set up to provide assistance to disaster-affected countries by dispatching structured capabilities, equipment or experts. B-FAST fills the gap between the disaster and the time needed for humanitarian actors or the capabilities of the affected country to initiate the reconstruction and recovery phase.
During the disaster phase, as provided for by international coordination structures, an affected country or an international organisation (such as the UN or the EU) can call on B-FAST for assistance at any time after the disaster (or even before a planned disaster). The security aspect of a mission is always taken into account in assessing whether deploying B-FAST equipment or experts is appropriate.
B-FAST is made up of the following departments:
- FPS Home Affairs, Directorate-General Civil Security
- FPS Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment
- FPS Foreign Affairs
- FPS Policy and Support
- Ministry of Defence
The FPS Health is responsible for the operational maintenance of the following capabilities it makes available to B-FAST:
- Field Hospital (Emergency Medical Team or EMT Belgium)
- Water Purification System Module (WP Belgium)
The FPS Health is responsible for the operational maintenance of the following capabilities it makes available to B-FAST:
It is responsible for the operational procedures of its own capabilities, the technical training of its personnel, and the supply and maintenance of the necessary equipment.