Firefighters train with VR to battle wildfires as climate risks rise

Wildfires have been sweeping across Greece, Madeira, and France during the summer in the Northern Hemisphere. As climate change increases the risk of forest fires, firefighting methods are evolving.

Traditionally, firefighters trained with live fires, which posed risks, incurred costs, and caused environmental damage through air pollution and water use.

The Fire Service College (FSC) in Gloucestershire, which trains fire services from the UK and internationally, has turned to virtual reality (VR) to prepare crews.

Trainees use headsets to tackle gaming-like wildfire scenarios. Thomas Dexmier, assistant vice president of enterprise solutions at HTC VIVE, the headset manufacturer, explained that VR allows trainees to learn, practice, and make mistakes in a safe, risk-free environment. This method is repeatable and helps build confidence.

The VR kit includes a haptic vest that simulates heat, a haptic hose that mimics the weight and feel of a real hose, and a lever that becomes heavy to replicate the hose’s activation. This technology tricks the body into believing the scenario is real, engaging the senses and aiding memory. Mick Dewer, who tested the kit at the college, found it impressively realistic, noting the physical challenge of controlling the hose.

The college uses VR to practice various fire scenarios, especially those that are rare and difficult to recreate, like forest, ship, or plane fires. Setting fire to buildings on the training ground is possible, but igniting a forest or grass stretch is not feasible due to scale and control risks.

Ted O’Brien, director of customer experience for FLAIM Systems, which provides the software, highlighted the ability to replicate scenarios at any scale and involve numerous participants, from firefighters to commanders.

Fire services in 45 countries, including the UK, US, Australia, China, Greece, Spain, and France, now use FLAIM Systems for training. However, VR does not replace live practice fires completely. Paul Speight, an instructor at the college, emphasized that VR is part of a blended approach, allowing trainees to test their skills and knowledge in a controlled environment before facing real fires.

Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of wildfires, said Theo Keeping, a wildfire scientist from Reading University. Hotter, drier conditions facilitate the rapid spread of wildfires.

The FSC has introduced a bespoke wildfires course and is developing further training to help fire services prepare for these foreseeable risks. Speight noted that the changing climate has necessitated a different approach to firefighting training.