CFA’s 30,000 plus volunteer firefighters will soon have access to the latest in virtual reality firefighting training, with a tailored training package under development.
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the technology would help deliver CFA’s number one priority - people’s safety - whether volunteers, staff or the public.
“Accurate risk perception is the key to staying safe while fighting fires. It’s at the core of all firefighting,” he said.
“For the past 20 years, CFA has been at the forefront of computer-based learning for operational skills and improving people’s natural ability to perceive risks in the field.
“But we’re always looking for more innovative ways to help our volunteers. That’s why we’re developing virtual reality firefighting training.
“The initial concept came from our volunteers themselves - a way to give volunteers a ‘real life’ ability to assess their skills, without exposing them to danger.”
FLAIM Trainer and FLAIM Extinguisher are unique training systems developed specifically for firefighters by Geelong-based tech company FLAIM Systems alongside Deakin University researchers.
FLAIM Systems Chief Technology Officer and CFA volunteer James Mullins said FLAIM Trainer worked in a very similar way to a flight simulator for pilot training, but is designed specifically for firefighters.
“It combines virtual reality technology with real-life industry standard equipment, such as a fire nozzle, breathing apparatus, hose reel, and automated sense-perception devices such as a fire-proximity heat suit to simulate both the visual and sensory feelings of being in a fire,” he said.
“Alongside the virtual reality headset, it gives the volunteers an opportunity to participate in a growing library of different scenarios - from house fires and grass fires to aeroplane fires.”
FLAIM Systems is a Victorian start-up company of 18 employees, with an expanding customer base in 25 countries, winning worldwide recognition for its FLAIM Trainer firefighter training.
Initially, CFA will purchase five FLAIM Trainer and 10 FLAIM Extinguisher systems which will be kept at its State Logistics Centre but used for training across the state once it is rolled out this year.
“CFA volunteers from across Victoria piloted FLAIM Trainer for six months to see if it suited our operational requirements. The feedback from members was very positive,” Chief Officer Heffernan said.