Name
Leveraging Virtual Reality for Fire Service Training
Date & Time
Thursday, November 7, 2024, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Mike Novak Fred Caserta
Description

The emergence of virtual reality (VR) in fire service education offers a transformative, cost-effective, on-demand tool for preparing firefighters for real-life fireground experiences. By leveraging an immersive VR experience, fire department trainers can provide hands-on training without exposing students to dangerous situations. The VR environment allows students to interact with their colleagues and environment so they can practice critical skills, such as decision-making, fire suppression, search and rescue, and hazardous materials handling, in a controlled setting. Moreover, VR training enables students to repeat exercises multiple times, fostering muscle memory and enhancing decision-making abilities and allows educators to monitor individual performance, identify strengths and weaknesses, and tailor training programs accordingly. Beyond the training aspect, VR can serve as a powerful educational tool, offering insights into fire behavior, building construction, and incident management. VR training is possible in a variety of environments. Scenarios may be delivered in single (Training Centers) or multiple locations (Individual firehouses or mutual aid departments). This allows for a training environment that meets different needs such as keeping units in their firehouse to remain in service. This session will include a live demo for attendees to watch the participants perform in training evolutions using VR.

Location Name
Performance Hall
Full Address
Charleston Gaillard Center
95 Calhoun St
Charleston, SC 29401
United States