Studieninstitut Westfalen-Lippe - Medizin und Rettungswesen (stiwl)

What Studieninstitut Westfalen-Lippe - Medizin und Rettungswesen (stiwl) does

The Studieninstitut Westfalen-Lippe – Fachbereich Medizin und Rettungswesen (stiwl) is a municipal training institute (Zweckverband) headquartered in Bielefeld, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Founded in 2007, the institute is a public-law entity providing state-recognized emergency medical training to municipal rescue services, professional and volunteer fire departments, hospitals, and volunteer organizations across the Westfalen-Lippe region. The curriculum spans the full German EMS career pathway, from Rettungshelfer through Rettungssanitäter to Notfallsanitäter, alongside dispatch, leadership, and specialized programs including DIVI-intensive care transport. Approximately 5,400 participants are trained annually through in-person instruction at multiple Bielefeld and Münster facilities.

Stiwl operates an SESAM-accredited simulation center with over 20 simulation rooms and specialized props, including high-fidelity patient simulators (SimMan, SimBody), a dedicated SIM Zentrum, and scenario environments replicating a dispatch center, disco, airplane, bus, and combine harvester. The proprietary StiWL-Moodle e-learning platform serves roughly 5,000 active users and is paired with VR/AR-based instruction, including the VR-MANV mass-casualty-incident system, supported by REACT-EU digital transformation funding. Adjacent technical offerings include Sono4Stiwl, a point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) curriculum.

The revenue model combines tiered course fees ranging from 195 EUR for the volunteer 30-hour package to 4,975 EUR for dispatch paramedic training, with a new recurring subscription tier of 360 EUR/month for the Bachelor of Science Notfallsanitäter program offered jointly with FH der Diakonie. The Zweckverband structure supplements fee income with member-municipality contributions from sponsoring NRW municipalities. The institute holds ISO 9001:2015 certification and maintains partnerships with FH der Diakonie, EVKB, Universitätsklinikum OWL, and multiple fire brigades and DRK rescue stations across NRW.

Name

Studieninstitut Westfalen-Lippe - Medizin und Rettungswesen (stiwl)

Legal name

Studieninstitut für kommunale Verwaltung Westfalen-Lippe, Zweckverband Studieninstitut

Website

https://stiwl-mur.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Studieninstitut Westfalen-Lippe (stiwl) is a municipal Zweckverband in Bielefeld, Germany, providing state-recognized emergency medical training to NRW municipal emergency services, fire departments, hospitals, and volunteer organizations via an SESAM-accredited simulation center serving approximately 5,400 participants annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Emergency Medical Training and Education

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Emergency Medical Services (EMT/Paramedic) Training (EDAOAMAC)

Keywords

• Emergency medical training
• Rescue service education
• Paramedic certification programs
• Medical simulation training
• Continuing professional development

Headquarters

HQ city

Bielefeld

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Training Course Fees: Revenue from conducting training courses and events for emergency medical personnel including rettungssanitäter, notfallsanitäter, leitstellensanitäter, and various continuing education programs. Fees vary by course type and duration.
2. Bachelor Program Fees: Monthly tuition fees of 360 EUR for Bachelor of Science Notfallsanitäter program offered in cooperation with Fachhochschule der Diakonie.
3. Fortbildungskalender Ehrenamt Package: Package pricing of 195 EUR per person for 30-hour emergency service training for volunteer organizations including online training, Rettinare sessions, and practical training.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

stiwl is a municipal training institute (Zweckverband) providing state-recognized qualification, certification, and continuing education programs for emergency medical services personnel in North Rhine-Westphalia. Core offerings span three-tier career pathways (Rettungshelfer:in, Rettungssanitäter:in, Notfallsanitäter*in), academic degree programs (Bachelor of Science Notfallsanitäter*in), and a wide catalog of specialized continuing education, delivered through in-person instruction at training facilities and an SESAM-accredited medical simulation center, supported by a Moodle-based e-learning platform.

Product overview

Studieninstitut Westfalen-Lippe (stiwl) is a unified training institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of emergency medical education programs. The core offerings include three-tier career pathway programs: Rettungshelfer:in (Rescue Helper), Rettungssanitäter:in (Rescue Paramedic), and Notfallsanitäter*in (Emergency Paramedic) - Germany's highest non-physician emergency qualification. Academic advancement is enabled through the Bachelor of Science Notfallsanitäter*in degree program. The institution operates the SESAM-accredited Simulationszentrum as a key differentiator, featuring over 20 simulation spaces including specialized environments (dispatch center, aircraft, bus, disco, tractor). Sub-brands include Rettinare® for volunteer education, Sono4Stiwl for ultrasound training, and the Fortbildungskalender Ehrenamt for volunteer continuing education. Leadership development programs (Führungskräfte-Fortbildung) and specialized offerings like NASim25, DIVI-Intensivtransport, and DIVI-ANNA complete the portfolio. Digital delivery is supported via StiWL-Moodle e-learning platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Rettungshelfer:in (Rescue Helper) Entry-level training program qualifying personnel for patient transport and civil protection operations, comprising at least 160 training hours including theoretical-practical instruction, state examination, and practical training at an approved teaching rescue station. Targeted at prospective rescue service personnel.
• Rettungssanitäter:in (Rescue Paramedic) Training program qualifying personnel for patient transport, emergency rescue, and civil protection functions, comprising at least 520 training hours across five educational sections including clinical-practical training and state examination. Targeted at career rescue personnel.
• Notfallsanitäter*in (Emergency Paramedic) Three-year professional training program constituting Germany's highest qualification for non-physician emergency responders. Targeted at individuals pursuing professional paramedic careers.
• Bachelor of Science Notfallsanitäter*in Academic degree program building on existing Notfallsanitäter*in qualifications, delivered in cooperation with Fachhochschule der Diakonie. 3.5-year part-time program (2.5-year accelerated track available), 180 Credit Points, with 60 CP recognized from prior paramedic training. Targeted at working paramedics seeking academic credentials.
• Simulationszentrum (Simulation Center) Medical simulation facility with over 20 simulation rooms and objects including a simulation living caravan, dispatch center, disco, combine harvester, airplane, bus, and outdoor areas. Equipped with modern camera and audio technology for video-based debriefing. SESAM accredited. Targeted at emergency medical trainees and instructors.
• Leitstellensanitäter:in (Dispatch Paramedic) 12-month qualification program for personnel coordinating emergency rescue operations in NRW dispatch centers. Includes basic training, three additional blocks, and final examination. Targeted at emergency dispatch staff.
• Leitstellendisponent*in (Dispatch Coordinator) Advanced qualification program for dispatch coordinators, offered in multiple formats including 120-hour (until 2025), 288-hour, and building education tracks for Leitstellensanitäter*innen. Targeted at senior dispatch personnel.
• Führungskräfte-Fortbildung (Leadership Training) Leadership development programs including Gruppenführer:in Rettungsdienst (Group Leader), Zugführer:in und OrgL Rettungsdienst (Squad Commander), Verbandführer:in Rettungsdienst (Unit Commander), and Stabsarbeit (Staff Work). Targeted at emergency services managers and commanders.
• Instruktor*in der medizinischen Simulation (IMS) Instructor certification program for medical simulation, specifically developed by stiwl and recognized by SESAM (Society for Simulation in Europe) for simulation center accreditation. Targeted at medical simulation instructors.
• DIVI-Intensivtransport Specialized training for intensive care transport following DIVI (German Interdisciplinary Association for Intensive and Emergency Medicine) standards. Targeted at paramedics involved in inter-hospital intensive care transfers.
• DIVI-ANNA (Airway Management) Training program covering airway management and anesthesia in emergency and acute medicine (Atemwegsmanagement und Narkose in Notfall- und Akutmedizin). Targeted at emergency physicians and advanced paramedics.
• NASim25 (Emergency Physician Simulation) Emergency physician simulation training program delivering realistic emergency medicine scenarios. Targeted at emergency physicians and senior medical personnel.
• Praxisanleiter*in (Clinical Instructor) Pedagogical qualification program for clinical supervision of rescue service trainees in practice settings. Targeted at experienced practitioners responsible for on-the-job training.
• Mentor*in im Rettungsdienst (Mentor) Mentoring qualification program for experienced rescue service professionals to support newer colleagues. Targeted at senior rescue personnel transitioning into mentoring roles.
• Leiter*in Rettungswache (Station Manager) Management qualification program for rescue station leadership positions. Targeted at paramedics moving into station management roles.
• Fortbildungskalender Ehrenamt (Volunteer Training Package) 30-hour continuing education package for volunteer emergency personnel comprising 6 hours online training via StiWL-Moodle, 4 hours Rettinare®, and 20 hours practical training. Packaged at 195 EUR per person for aid organizations, volunteer fire brigades, and THW. Targeted at volunteer emergency responders.
• Rettinare® Branded continuing education modules for volunteer emergency services personnel, available through www.rettinare.de with approximately 200 dates annually. Targeted at volunteer emergency responders and aid organizations.
• Sono4Stiwl (Point-of-Care Ultrasound) Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) training for emergency services combining 8 hours online learning with 8 hours in-person training, covering eFAST protocol, lung sonography, focused abdomen examination, ultrasound-guided venous puncture, and resuscitation applications. Targeted at emergency physicians and advanced paramedics.
• StiWL-Moodle Online-Fortbildung (Online Continuing Education) Digital continuing education platform accessible via StiWL-Moodle, including webinars, video tutorials, podcasts, learning units, interactive games, and gamification-based learning. Used by approximately 5,000 participants. Targeted at emergency medical personnel seeking flexible online learning.
• Einblicke in die Rettungswissenschaft (Certificate Program in Rescue Science) Certificate program introducing evidence-based decision-making and rescue science within health sciences. 3-day in-person (24 UE) with optional eLearning (32 UE) and online test, awarding 5 Credit Points recognized within the B.Sc. Notfallsanitäter*in program. Targeted at emergency medical professionals and B.Sc. candidates.

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Evangelisches Klinikum Bethel (EVKB)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 June 2025Partnership in interprofessional lecture series 'Notfallmedizin 360°'. Joint platform for emergency medicine knowledge exchange between students and professionals.
• Universitätsklinikum OWL - Campus BethelcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 June 2025Partnership in interprofessional lecture series 'Notfallmedizin 360°' with Campus Bethel of University Hospital OWL.
• Fachhochschule der Diakonie (FHdD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2024Joint Bachelor of Science Notfallsanitäter program. FHdD awards the accredited degree while stiwl provides practical training and clinical placements. Program starts October 2024, accredited for 180 CP with 60 CP recognized from prior Notfallsanitäter training.
• Studieninstitut für kommunale Verwaltung Hellweg-SauerlandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation between regional study institutes for municipal administration in North Rhine-Westphalia, sharing best practices and potentially coordinating training programs.
• Berufsfeuerwehr BielefeldcoreOthersProfessional fire brigade providing practical training placements for rescue personnel. One of multiple fire brigades in network.
• DRK-Lehrrettungswachen (Bad Lippspringe, Bad Salzuflen, Delbrück, Lemgo, Lahde)coreOthersGerman Red Cross teaching rescue stations providing mandatory practical training placements for students.
• Städtische Kliniken BielefeldcoreOthersCity hospitals providing clinical practical training placements for rescue students. Includes Bi-Mitte, Rosenhöhe, and Halle locations.
• European Union (REACT-EU)coreOthersEuropean Regional Development Fund providing financial support for digital transformation projects including digital learning concepts, VR/AR instruction development, and modern technical equipment.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• MHD Bildungswerk: Malteser Hilfsdienst education centers outside NRW offer equivalent paramedic and volunteer training curricula but primarily serve other German states.

Direct peers

• Landesfeuerwehrschule NRW: State-level fire service training academy in NRW offering leadership (Gruppenführer, Zugführer) and rescue-service continuing education overlapping with stiwl's Führungskräfte-Fortbildung portfolio.
• Malteser Bildungszentrum: Malteser Hilfsdienst training division offers comparable paramedic and continuing-education programs for emergency services personnel nationwide, competing for the same municipal and volunteer-organization buyers.
• DRK Bildungswerk NRW: German Red Cross education arm delivering overlapping Rettungshelfer, Rettungssanitäter, and Notfallsanitäter training plus continuing education across NRW — the closest functional competitor to stiwl's core curriculum.
• Johanniter Bildungswerk: Johanniter Unfall-Hilfe runs emergency medical training schools with similar Rettungsdienst curricula and serves volunteer organizations (JUH) — directly comparable buyer segments to stiwl.
• ASB Bildungswerk: Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund education arm delivers paramedic training and continuing education, competing for ASB-affiliated students and the same NRW municipal contracts.

Emerging players

• Asklepios Bildungszentrum: Asklepios Klinik group's education division offers clinical simulation and emergency medicine training with hospital-based infrastructure — comparable technology footprint but more healthcare- than rescue-service focused.
• Akademie der Uniklinik RWTH Aachen: University hospital academy runs simulation and emergency medicine courses (e.g., NASim-style programs) for physicians and advanced paramedics in NRW — overlapping academic and high-acuity training segments.

Others

• DIVI (Deutsche Interdisziplinäre Vereinigung für Intensiv- und Notfallmedizin): Standards-setting body for intensive care and emergency medicine whose DIVI-Intensivtransport and DIVI-ANNA curricula are delivered by stiwl — an enabling/standards partner rather than direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Bundesfeuerwehrakademie: Federal fire service academy in Germany offers advanced leadership, MANV, and inter-agency training — broader in scope but overlapping with stiwl's leadership and Führungskräfte tracks.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Stiwl.MuR
• Instagraminstagram.com/stiwl_mur
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/stiwl-mur

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Studieninstitut Westfalen-Lippe - Medizin und Rettungswesen (stiwl)