GWO Fire Awareness (FAW)

The GWO – Fire Awareness training provides participants with the essential knowledge and skills to work safely in and around wind turbines. This half-day safety course combines theory and hands-on exercises to help participants identify fire hazards, prevent fires, and respond effectively to emergencies. Participants practice using firefighting equipment, following evacuation procedures, and assisting colleagues in case of an incident.

Course duration: 0,5 day
Locations: Groningen, Vlissingen
Cost per student: € 245,00 (excl. BTW)

Questions or need help? Send an email or call 0031 118 463382

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About this course

GWO - Fire Awareness (FAW)

Introduction
The GWO – Fire Awareness course, developed by the Global Wind Organisation (GWO), is an essential module for all personnel working in the wind energy sector or related industries. The course provides both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in fire prevention, risk assessment, and emergency response.

Training is conducted under realistic indoor and outdoor conditions using approved firefighting equipment to ensure safety and practical learning.

Objective
Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:

  • identify and control fire hazards in the workplace;
  • apply safe working practices to prevent fires;
  • assess fire situations and make appropriate decisions;
  • carry out safe evacuation and initial firefighting actions;
  • correctly use personal protective equipment and emergency procedures.

Target Group
This course is intended for personnel working in the wind energy industry or related sectors who require a GWO Fire Awareness certificate as part of their safety training.

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Practical info

Entry Requirements
Participants must:

  • be physically fit to take part in the training;
  • disclose any medication use prior to booking (if the medication limits participation, the booking will be cancelled free of charge).

Course Content
The course covers both theory and practical exercises, including:

  • fundamentals of fire safety;
  • identification and prevention of fire hazards;
  • evacuation and communication during emergencies;
  • use of handheld fire extinguishers and PPE;
  • live-fire exercises under controlled conditions.

Certification
Upon successful completion, participants receive the official GWO Fire Awareness certificate.

Validity
The certificate is valid for 2 years.
After expiration, a half-day refresher course must be completed to extend validity for another 2 years.

Course Duration
0.5 day

Schedule
08:30 – 12:00

Group Size
Minimum 4, maximum 12 participants

Winda Registration
All participants must register in WINDA, the international certification database of the Global Wind Organisation.
After registration, participants receive a personal Winda ID, which must be provided when booking. DRTC will link the certificate to the participant’s WINDA account upon completion.

Registration: https://winda.globalwindsafety.org/

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Day 1 - Fire Prevention and Firefighting

In this concise course, participants learn to identify fire hazards and extinguish fires safely and effectively. The session covers the fundamentals of fire behavior, fire classes, and extinguishing methods, as well as the correct use of fire blankets and CO₂ extinguishers. Practical exercises focus on extinguishing fires safely, applying emergency procedures, and evacuating in smoke conditions. The training concludes with an evaluation and WINDA registration.

What's on the program?

  • Day 1 - Fire Prevention and Firefighting

High-quality facilities that make a difference

With the best resources and facilities at our disposal, we are able to offer training and courses of the highest quality.

Small Fire Extinguisher Training Area

Practical training with portable fire extinguishers

Small Fire Extinguisher Training Area

Realistic training with portable fire extinguishers for small fire scenarios.

Practical training with portable fire extinguishers

Small Fire Extinguisher Training Area

Participants learn how to safely and effectively extinguish fires using handheld and portable fire extinguishers. Training takes place in realistic outdoor fire scenarios, allowing trainees to experience firsthand how different extinguishers work and what their limitations are.

What makes this facility unique is the hands-on approach to a variety of fire situations — from small liquid and gas fires to solid materials. Participants not only practice firefighting techniques but also learn to assess safety, distance, and the appropriate extinguishing strategy.

Who is it for

The Small Fire Extinguisher Training Area is used by maritime personnel, offshore teams, industrial emergency responders, and emergency response officers (BHV) who need to know how to control small fires quickly and effectively.

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What you’ll practice

Under the guidance of experienced instructors, participants will learn to:

  • Identify different types of fires and select the appropriate extinguishing agent

  • Use portable extinguishers (powder, foam, CO₂) effectively

  • Extinguish small liquid and gas fires

  • Approach safely and aim extinguishers accurately

  • Understand the limitations and capabilities of portable fire extinguishers

  • Ensure personal safety and assess risks during firefighting

All exercises are

Our Instructors

The faces behind the training

Our experienced instructors challenge you to push your limits and get the best out of yourself.
Our programme coordinators are available to answer all your questions and provide practical information about the training.

Jorian Schut
Maritime Instructor
Emile van Dooren
Instructor
Maarten Janse
Senior Maritime Instructor

Let them convince you

Frequently asked questions

DRTC provides a wide range of accredited safety courses for the maritime, offshore, wind and industrial sectors.

  • STCW – including Basic Training, Advanced Fire Fighting, Proficiency in Survival Craft (PSCRB/FRB), Medical First Aid, Medical Care and Security Awareness.
  • GWO – Basic Safety Training (BST) and individual modules such as Working at Height, First Aid, Fire Awareness, Manual Handling, Sea Survival and Enhanced First Aid.
  • NOGEPA – Basic Offshore Safety, Helicopter Underwater Escape (HUET), Sea Survival, Fire-fighting and specialised refresher courses.
  • BHV/First Aid/VCA – Basic and refresher courses in Emergency Response, First Aid and Safety Certification for all sectors.

See the current course overview on our website or contact drtc@drtc.nl for advice on the right training for your needs.

For (future) wind technicians, HSE staff, and support personnel working onshore or offshore in the wind energy industry.

We offer the full Basic Safety Training (BST) and individual modules such as Working at Height, First Aid, Fire Awareness, Manual Handling, and Sea Survival. Refresher courses and Enhanced First Aid are also available.

GWO certificates are valid for 24 months. Be sure to complete your refresher course before expiry.

Basic fitness is required. Depending on your employer’s policy, a maritime or offshore medical examination may be mandatory.

Bring valid identification, any required medical certificate, sports or swimwear, and a towel for pool sessions. All PPE and safety equipment are provided by DRTC.

Courses are conducted in Dutch or English. We can provide support for participants with dyslexia or reading difficulties; please inform us in advance.

At our own training locations or, where permitted, in-company.

You will receive your certificate immediately at the end of the training. We will upload your certification details to the WINDA database.

Depending on the module, you may need to retake the basic or an additional module. Contact us for the correct procedure. Call us at +31 118 463 382 or send an email to drtc@drtc.nl

Yes, we offer refresher modules for many of our courses. The validity of certificates depends on the standard and course.

For some courses, you can choose VAT exemption. This means the training will be invoiced without 21% VAT. The exemption applies only to recognised vocational training programmes that fall under official supervision by organisations such as ILT, OPITO, GWO, or NOGEPA.

Choose VAT exemption if you are taking the course for professional purposes or as a private individual without VAT deduction rights.
Choose including VAT if you are booking on behalf of a company that can reclaim VAT from the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration.

Your invoice will then state:
“Exempt from VAT under Article 11, paragraph 1, section o of the Dutch VAT Act 1968.”

You can cancel your booking by contacting us via email or phone. For open enrolment courses you may cancel free of charge up to 5 working days before the start. For customised training you may cancel free of charge up to 14 working days before the start. If you cancel within those deadlines the full course fee will be invoiced.

Visit our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ page for more information, or contact us at +31 118 463 382 or email drtc@drtc.nl.