Tom Van Esbroeck presented the CTIF Position Statement on the Transition to Civil Defence at EU conference in Brussels
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On Thursday December 11 Colonel Tom Van Esbroeck represented CTIF as a panel speaker at the First Annual Conference "United For Resilience - Shaping Europe's Disaster Prevention and Response" in Brussels.
The conference brought together policymakers, first responders, academics, innovators and regional authorities to discuss what works today, what must change, and how Europe can collectively build a more resilient future.
CTIF's message: Strengthen First Responders in the Transition to Civil Defence
Tom Van Esbroeck's main message at the conference was the importance of strengthening first responders, and especially the volunteers, who carry a large responsibility for protecting the population throughout many parts of Europe. The need to support first responders on the front line is especially important in times of geopolitical and security challenges.
He mentioned Sweden as an example, where the concept of 'Total Defence' combines emergency preparedness for peacetime and civil defence for war. The overarching goal is to ensure essential public services, protect the civilian population and support military defence.
Risks of water loss and uncontrollable fire during conflicts
Some of the potential challenges for fire services which he mentioned as Civil Defence Scenarios were:
Vulnerability of Infrastructure:
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Loss of utilities (water, power, communications) and civil facilities creates complex operation and recovery scenarios. Common consequences include slower response times due to obstruction
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Increased danger from fire spread and structural collapse
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Uncontrollable fires due to loss of water capacity.
Some other risks mentioned were:
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Presence of Weapons: Continuous evolution of weapons designed to kill, incapacitate or cause uncontrollable fires.
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Risks of shelling, gunfire, unexploded ordnance, and hazardous materials released by damage to infrastructure.
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Aggressor tactics, such as 'double strikes' targeting first responders, significantly increase personal risk.
CTIF's Position Statement Papers on Transitioning to Civil Defence:
At the conference, Colonel Van Esbroeck presented the full CTIF Statement on Transitioning to Civil Defence , and also CTIF's Call to Action to initiate a CTIF Civil Defence Committee.
These statements were published by CTIF in October 2025 as the two documents: "Advancing Civil Defence in Fire & Rescue" and "Transitioning to Civil Defence".
The CTIF global mission is to protect civilians during fires and other emergencies. Armed conflicts create significant additional risks and CTIF endeavours to be realistic, recognizing it must help prepare and protect firefighters in conflict zones. The Geneva Conventions do recognize this important role of undertaking humanitarian work by reminding combatants to distinguish and avoid harming those aiding victims.
CTIF's policy adviser Dennis Davis, when drawing on research of the past and current experiences to highlight the need to better prepare for hybrid and conventional threats, would underline that the primary purpose of the CTIF policy and formation of a CTIF Civil Defence Commission is to protect both victims and emergency responders and the absolute neutrality of firefighters.
Read CTIF's statements on Transitioning to Civil Defence and Call to Action Here
These papers reflect CTIF’s growing commitment to strengthening the civil defence capacities of fire and rescue services in light of evolving geopolitical and security challenges.
CTIF's Proposal: Establishment of a new Civil Defence Commission
The proposed objectives for this commission are:
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To serve as the principal body for strategic coordination, policy development and international cooperation to: Identify and disseminate best practices in civil defence operations
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Assess current capabilities and gaps in mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery
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Develop a flexible, scalable framework that can be tailored to the unique structures and needs of each Member State.
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Promote interoperability and resilience across borders.
Tom Van Esbroeck is CTIF's Treasurer on The Executive Committee and was invited as the representative of CTIF, the Fire Services of Belgium and of his fire service in Flanders, Brandweerzone Vlaams-Brabant West.
About the speakers and the conference:
The conference Brussels on December 11, 2025 was arranged by The Intergroup on Resiliance, Civil Protection and Disaster Management (RCPDM), which is a cross-party initiative within the European Parliament. It fosters strategic dialogue on civil protection and preparedness.
The Intergroup Board Members and European Parliamentarians Annalisa Corrado and Pascal Arimont hosted the First Annual Conference – “United for Resilience: Shaping Europe’s Disaster Prevention and Response” at the European Parliament.
On their LinkedIn page, the Intergroup RCPDM writes about the objectives for the conference:
- Strengthen Prevention
- Improve Preparedness
- Deepen cooperation, and
- Support those on the front lines of disaster management
"At a time when floods, wildfires, storms and other extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and more severe across Europe... Building on the Intergroup’s priorities — civil commitment, citizen preparedness, civil defence and industrial capacity, and the sharing of best practices — the conference brought together policymakers, first responders, academics, innovators and regional authorities to discuss what works today, what must change, and how Europe can collectively build a more resilient future".
Cover photo of Tom Van Esbroeck as panel speaker, by Brandweerzone Vlaams-Brabant West., from their Facebook page
The speakers' list:
Dr Hans Das, Deputy Director-General, and Chief Operations Officer at DG ECHO (EU in Emergencies).
Mr Tom Van Esbroeck, Professional Firefighter and Treasurer of the International Association of Fire and Rescue Services (CTIF International Association of Fire Services).
Mr Matteo Leopore, Mayor of Bologna, Rapporteur on the Committee of the Region’s opinion on the European Climate Adaption Plan.
Mr Adam Banaszak, Member of Inowroclaw County Council, Rapporteur on the CoR’s opinion on the UCPM-HER.
Prof Alessandro Bratti, Senior Consultant for the CMCC Foundation (Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change).
Ms Natalia Alonso Cano, Chief of the Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).
Mr Oliver Femont, Director of Aggéres, pioneering SME in innovative flood solutions.
Mr Francisco Javier Sánchez Martínez, Director for Water Protection and Risks at the Spanish Ministry for Ecological transition and demographic challenge (MITECO)
European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib, responsible for strengthening Europe's resilience.