PAULO, the academy for emergency services of the Province of East Flanders, has inaugurated a new safety campus located on Tulpenstraat in Eke, part of Nazareth-De Pinte. This facility serves as a vital link in the provincial training network, ensuring the continuation of operations while the Province develops a new training center in Mendonk (Ghent).
The need for a new location in Southeast Flanders arose after PAULO could no longer utilize the military domain in Semmerzake (Gavere). Campus Eke also provides an alternative to buildings being demolished as part of the master plan at the Mendonk campus. Its central position along the E17, with direct access to PAULO's existing E17 network, facilitates the rapid transfer of personnel and equipment between the sites of Westakkers, Mendonk, and the Leopoldskazerne.
The campus is strategically positioned to efficiently serve the emergency services zones of Centrum, Meetjesland, and Vlaamse Ardennen. Together with the existing campuses, this establishes a balanced geographical distribution of training opportunities across East Flanders.
“"With the opening of campus Eke, PAULO demonstrates its close involvement with local police, fire, and emergency services zones, consciously choosing proximity. We guarantee our operations during the renovation works at the Mendonk campus and are easily accessible for the zones. Our service takes another step forward towards accessible and high-quality training. Ultimately, every resident of East Flanders will benefit from this."
The new site includes a 1,890 m² warehouse, 576 m² of office space, and sanitary facilities, along with twenty parking spaces. This infrastructure allows for the centralization of theoretical and practical training, storage, and logistical processes. The indoor area accommodates two training setups for technical emergency response, ensuring constant and comfortable training conditions.
The investment in campus Eke aims to secure the continuity, capacity, and quality of fire, police, and urgent medical assistance training in East Flanders. The province is investing in a strategic, accessible, and future-oriented training location that will enhance overall safety throughout the region.
