Upper Sûre Nature Park Presents Rescue Point System for Hikers

The Upper Sûre Nature Park recently presented its rescue point system, in the presence of Luxembourg's Minister for Home Affairs, Taina Bofferding.

The nature park recalled that it is not uncommon for visitors to find themselves in emergency situations in this busy hiking area. This can make it difficult for those concerned to explain their location clearly and quickly to the 112 emergency call centre in order to guarantee an easy rescue operation. Calls from lost individuals and groups are also increasingly frequent. In forest areas, away from the road network and possibly in small, narrow valleys, it is possible to lose orientation on the winding hiking trails. However, it is often important to reduce as much as possible the intervention time of the emergency services between the emergency situation and the required medical care.

A system of rescue or emergency points, such as has already been installed in certain countries, can contribute to this. These are easily recognisable signs, placed in noticeable places and at crossroads. The 112 emergency number is displayed there, as well as a code consisting of two letters (for the municipality) and three digits. This number allows the emergency services to determine the exact location and to quickly initiate the corresponding rescue measures.

In Luxembourg, the first rescue points were installed by the Nature and Forest Agency in Grünewald in 2016 as part of a bachelor's thesis. In the municipalities of Lac de la Haute-Sûre and Winseler, 21 rescue points were then set up by the National Land Consolidation Office as part of the land consolidation procedure. On the initiative of the environmental commission of the municipality of Lac de la Haute-Sûre, the system has now been supplemented by 38 additional points.

The Environment Commission, the local fire and rescue centre and the Upper Sûre Nature Park have harmonised the points within the framework of a working group. Here, especially in the region of the Upper Sûre lake, it was also important to consider a possible escape route via the body of water, since many hiking paths along the lake cannot be reached with vehicles. The system was presented to the Nature and Forest Agency, which approved it.

Subsequently, the nature park developed, in consultation with the Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps, what is called the "intervention sheet". In addition to a location map and an access recommendation, the condition of the access road for each rescue point is described on this sheet, accompanied by photos. In the future, the emergency services will thus have a well-documented description of the route to follow in the event of an emergency report with indication of an emergency point. The Upper Sûre Nature Park later financed and installed the required 38 panels on oak bollards.

Moreover, the rescue point network can be used as an orientation aid in the event of a major emergency, such as a search for people or forest fires. 

In the coming years, the Upper Sûre Nature Park plans to finance and implement the system in all the member municipalities, in consultation with the Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps, the Nature and Forest Agency and the municipalities concerned.