Dutch rental firms create alliance for disaster response

Netherlands rental companies Bredenoord and Riwal are among a group of companies that have formed an alliance to provide equipment to areas in the country impacted by natural disasters.

The ICA aims to help prepare areas of the Netherlands in dealing with natural disasters, such as flooding. (Photo: ICA)

The Infra Capacity Alliance (ICA) comprises companies and government organisations that are aiming to help the country better prepare for disasters such as earthquakes, flooding and the reception of refugees, by ensuring equipment is available when needed.

According to the Alliance, which was formed earlier this year, making equipment available quickly requires “cross-sector and cross-chain collaborations, in which partners work together, innovate and co-create.”

It also says that it enables better prediction of certain crises, allowing governments to “prepare even better and, in the event of an emergency, to switch more quickly to tackle the crisis.”

As well as Riwal’s aerial platforms and Bredenoord’s temporary power, fellow co-founders MTD, Jan Snel and Janson Bridging will provide water supplies, housing and temporary bridges. The ICA also says it will be able to assist public authorities.

The Alliance is also exploring the possibility of further involvement from other organisations in the field of land-based infrastructure, and in particular from federal government, security regions, provinces, municipalities, water boards, NGOs and defence.