California trials
In October 2019, the Cosumnes Fire Department in California, teamed up with VR developers RiVR and Pico Interactive, to create its own training system for 20 new recruits. The trial was successful, and the department will continue to use VR in its training program. Firefighter trainees from the Cosumnes Fire Department are taught how to handle specific scenarios while wearing VR headsets "It allows them to experience first hand the unique challenges with communication, limited visibility and come face to face with the flames in fire situations that they most certainly will encounter during their firefighting career," said fire department captain Julie Rider. An experienced firefighter herself, Rider said that she was impressed by how lifelike the VR scenario was. "I could feel my heart rate climb as I looked around the room, seeing where the fire started, watching the rapid rate of fire spread," she said. "It was amazing to experience the inherent risk, extreme danger and fire intensity without feeling any of the dangerous effects from the fire."Environmental impact
Using VR technology also reduces the environmental impact of firefighter training. Traditional training releases smoke and pollutants into the atmosphere from burning substances, affecting the surrounding air quality. It also requires a lot of water, which can be problematic in a country like Australia, where many areas suffer from severe drought conditions. A grassfire scenario in virtual reality, created by FLAIM Systems Chemicals from the foam typically used by firefighters can have health side effects, with the runoff contaminating surrounding soil and water. This has led some states in Australia to ban the use of this foam except in essential circumstances. "Our technology enables people to train without discharging foam into the environment, without creating smoke, or using water," said Mullins.DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
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