Expert Center Risk Management in the Netherlands forms a new chapter in firefighter safety and insurance

Firefighters put themselves at risk every day to keep others safe. From unpredictable fires to
high-pressure rescues, their work is demanding, physically, mentally, and financially.
 

Recognizing the toll firefighting takes, the Netherlands has introduced a groundbreaking new
approach to occupational accident insurance for emergency service workers. At the center
of this transformation: the Expert Center Risk Management.
 

This innovative bureau is reshaping how we think about insurance, risk, and care for those
who serve. To clarify: the Expertisebureau Risicobeheer (Expert Centre for Risk Management) is not a commercial organization. We are a publicly funded initiative, established by the 25 Dutch safety regions to support their fire brigades in handling occupational accident claims and improving risk management. We do not offer our services on the commercial market or compete with private providers. 

Last year on the 24th of September we were invited to speak at the Volunteer Firefighters Commission about our services, and the topic was insurance for volunteer firefighters in different countries. 

Who We Are

Founded in 2022 (with the Guarantee Fund established in 2023), the Expert Center Risk
Management became fully operational in 2024. It was created to provide a clear, centralized
system for managing occupational accident claims in the Dutch fire service. Our mission is
straightforward: to support the 25 Dutch safety regions in handling claims, minimizing risks,
and protecting the people behind the uniform.
Founded in 2024, the Expert Center Risk Management was created to provide a clear,
centralized system for managing occupational accident claims in the Dutch fire service. Our
mission is straightforward: support the fire departments in the Netherlands in handling
claims, minimizing risks, and protecting the people behind the uniform.

We’re more than a broker, we’re a connector. We link firefighters, safety regions, and
insurers, offering strategic advice, tailored coverage, and data insights that help reduce risks
and improve outcomes. Our work is driven by fairness, sustainability, and a focus on
prevention.

Why We Were Needed
 

The previous insurance system had become fragmented and unsatisfactory. Premiums were
increasing, coverage was narrowing, and firefighters often felt unsupported after an
incident. Meanwhile, safety regions lacked the tools and capacity to manage claims
effectively.
 

The result? Financial strain, dissatisfied personnel, and negative media coverage. A different
approach was urgently needed, one that would prioritize people over profit. That’s where
we came in.

How We Work
 

We operate on three key pillars: fair policies, financial stability, and knowledge sharing.

1. Fair, Professionally Tailored Policies
Firefighting comes with unique physical and psychological risks. That’s why we helped
develop nationally uniform insurance terms, designed specifically for emergency
responders. These policies cover expected risks, like medical costs or temporary disability,
and include a special “hardship clause” for exceptional cases.
Crucially, it’s the safety regions, not insurance companies, who now manage the claims
process. This keeps decision-making close to the people it affects most.
 

2. Financial Stability Through the Guarantee fund
The Safety Regions Guarantee Fund is the financial engine of our system. While it is exempt
from supervision by the Dutch Central Bank (DNB), internal oversight has been arranged in
consultation with DNB to ensure sound financial management. The fund pools resources
from all safety regions to guarantee timely and fair compensation, distributing both cost and
responsibility evenly across the country.

3. Data-Driven Risk Management
We believe in learning from the past to prevent future harm. That’s why we collect and
analyze claim data to identify patterns, assess risk, and share insights with safety regions.
These insights drive smarter prevention policies and safer working conditions.
Our Expert Center Risk Management also provides practical support: from risk management
advice to training programs and collaboration with unions, insurers, and legal experts.

Looking Ahead

The results so far are promising. Claims are processed faster, coverage is clearer, and both
firefighters and employers report greater confidence in the system. But our work isn’t
finished.

We aim to further strengthen our model, exploring new forms of coverage and deepening
our use of data to prevent accidents before they happen. As the world changes, so will the
demands of firefighters, and we’ll be ready!
 

A Model with Global Potential
 

The Expert Center Risk Management offers more than a national solution. With occupational
risk being a global issue, our collaborative and data-driven model has the potential to inspire
change far beyond the Netherlands.

We invite the international fire service community to connect, collaborate, and exchange
ideas. Together, we can raise the standard of safety and care for first responders
everywhere.
 

Want to learn more or explore a partnership?
Visit www.ervrs.nl or contact Philippine Stevens at philippine.stevens@ervrs.nl.