December is the perfect month to pause and reflect on what we’ve achieved together. This past year at FireWare once again showed how special it is when ideas grow into fully developed training environments or learning experiences
More and more often, we’ve had the opportunity to contribute right from the drawing board and, together with partners, bring projects to life that truly make a difference in training and public education.
In this blog, we look back on a year full of new insights, surprising challenges and projects we are proud of. It’s inspiring to see how our role continues to evolve — not just as a supplier, but increasingly as a partner in learning and training.
Fire Fighting Training Truck Wins Fire Forum Award
Co-creation Resulting in a Unique Workplace Emergency Response Training Facility
One of the projects we were able to complete this year even received special recognition. The Fire Fighting Training Truck for Securitas Belgium won a FireForum Award. It feels like a remarkable appreciation for everyone who contributed to this journey.
We had the opportunity to support Securitas in the design and development of this mobile training solution. We began by identifying the competencies each student must achieve. That became the starting point for a creative process in which we developed inventive solutions to offer every participant — regardless of their field of work — a consistently challenging and innovative training experience. All of this had to fit within the limited space of a truck trailer. It required smart choices and close collaboration. The result is something to be proud of: a unique and sustainable training solution for Emergency Response Officer training. And the professional jury recognised that as well.
Read more about this project in our portfolio item: Fire Fighting Training Truck by Securitas Belgium: an award-winning innovation in mobile fire-extinguishing training.
Training on an Island
The Dike Watch Training Courses of the Hollandse Delta Water Board
Another project we look back on with great pleasure is the training days of the Dike Watch organisation of the Hollandse Delta Water Board. In 2024 we had the opportunity to support this event, and due to its great success, we were invited to contribute again this year.
FireWare is heavily involved in helping emergency response teams develop and maintain their professional skills. Most of the time, this involves the Fire Service, police, defence organisations and Workplace Emergency Response. So when a water board approached us with the question of whether we could help develop training for voluntary Dike Watch teams, we were immediately enthusiastic. A completely different field — and yet, not so different at all. It quickly became clear that it was a great match. Our project-based approach fit perfectly, even though we don’t have a background in dike surveillance.
We began by mapping out the competencies of the Dike Watch volunteers together. This had never been clearly defined before and turned out to be a valuable first step. What should a voluntary Dike Watch member know and be able to do? With this competency matrix in place, our creative team could start shaping a complete training week — a week in which fifty to one hundred volunteers a day were brought up to speed in all areas. Of course in recognising damage patterns on the dike, but also in aspects such as personal safety and communication.
What made this project even more special was the combination of content and location. Working with motivated people in such a beautiful place as the island of Tiengemeten turns a week like this into a real pleasure.
You can find more about this project in our portfolio: FireWare returns to Tiengemeten with the Waterschap Hollandse Delta for the Dike Watch Training Days 2025.
Small Details, Big Impact
Scenario Adjustments for the Risk Factory Midden-West-Brabant
A project doesn’t have to be large to matter at FireWare. What defines a project is the collaborative process — the co-creation in which we work together to reach the optimal solution. This often involves custom work, no matter how small the application may be. Sometimes it’s something as simple as a flame in a pan or a smouldering ottoman. Both of these elements were part of the adjustments we created for the Risk Factory Midden- en West-Brabant.
This project was an evolution of an existing scenario. The original scenario focused on raising awareness of fire safety risks among children. The new version needed to create that same awareness among seniors. The message remained the same, but the target audience required a completely different approach. Calmer, with room for conversation. No quick stimuli, but subtle triggers.
Together with the Midden- and West-Brabant Safety Region, we explored how to create a new scenario within the existing set. They produced a film that is paused at specific moments, allowing participants to take action themselves. The first assignment based on the film is to charge the tablet. Do participants look for a hard surface to charge it on? Or do they choose the soft ottoman nearby? Before they know it, the ottoman starts to smoke and smoulder.
After that, the participants are invited to fry chicken drumsticks, but they are distracted by the doorbell. Do they turn off the gas and the extractor fan? And what do you do if a flame suddenly appears in the pan? Do you know the correct actions to take in that moment?
It’s wonderful to see how this target group is welcomed with warmth and enthusiasm at the Risk Factory in Geertruidenberg. And it’s remarkable to witness how our products help create a meaningful and safe learning experience for seniors as well.
Staging as a Profession
From supporting large-scale exercises to training exercise supervisors
Our staging team was once again heavily involved this year in delivering one-off projects. For example, we supported a large tunnel exercise in Utrecht and a large-scale wildfire suppression exercise for the Gooi and Vechtstreek Safety Region. With an eye for realism and detail, we contribute to strengthening the professional skills of our emergency response teams.
We also trained hundreds of exercise supervisors this year in realistic staging. In doing so, we help spread the knowledge and expertise needed for more effective training throughout the country.
Moving forward together
On to a new year full of ideas
Looking back on this year, we are above all grateful for the trust that partners and clients place in us. It gives our work meaning and challenges us to stay creative and to keep finding solutions that truly make a difference. We look forward to continuing to build projects together in the new year — projects that help make learning and training even more effective.
Together, we take a step each day toward a safer world. Let the new year come!
On behalf of the entire FireWare team, we wish you happy holidays and a beautiful, meaningful and inspiring 2026!
