FireWare distributed more than 15 smoke machines across a strip of forest measuring over 200 meters. The scenario started at 19.00 exactly and the first signs of the fire were already evident at that time. Slowly but surely the smoke pushed through the pores of the conifer hedge which separated the camp site from the forest’s edge. One of the campsite guests raised the alarm once the smoke started the spread further and the smell of fire became more evident.
The first campsite guests were escorted off the site before half past seven. Coughing people with head wounds and open hands came walking out of their caravans and were taken to the assembly points. One by one all tents and caravans were thoroughly checked. The evacuated areas were cordoned off with tape once all guests were escorted off the site.
One of the most important learning objectives of this FireWare exercise was the multidisciplinary collaboration. The military convoy arrived and carefully counted all people, before they were escorted to the car which would take them to Barneveld’s barracks, the shelter. The military was also responsible for keeping track of everyone. The campsite was completely evacuated within two hours.
The exercise was created by Sven Subnel, for his graduation work experience placement as part of his Integral Safety Sciences course at Hogeschool Utrecht. “It’s great that FireWare cooperated with this exercise. Of course people do need to be able to see something!” Subnel instantly knew he wanted the fire to seem real and positive messages from the fire service took him to FireWare. “It simply contributes to an exercise if you can really see something. People can therefore see what it would be like in real life. Plus it’s fun for the press too!”
