Authored by Raman Talwar (CEO & Founder Director Simulanis)
According to data released by the Ministry of Home Affairs released in 2017, India has less than 3,000 fire stations against a required 8,559, and fire departments across the country are understaffed by nearly 6,00,000 personnel. Additionally, as per the ADSI report 2019, accidental fire accounted for 2.6% of the major causes of deaths. Undoubtedly, the casual handling of fire-safety management and training needs a modern approach to mitigate the alarming numbers and prepare workers against such unforeseen situations.
How Virtual Reality can be a game-changer for Fire-Safety training?
A Fire can occur anywhere, anytime. It can be in the workplace or at homes. Knowing what to do and what not to in such situations are essential skills to learn.
For decades, organizations in the fire department services have prepared their workers on fire-safety using traditional tools and methodologies such as structural burn building for walkthroughs and flame generators. However, a slight deviation while conducting the live-fire training exercises can prove fatal for the trainees and professionals. On the other hand, creating an infrastructure/area for training and managing it can be a costly affair be it in the workplace to train employees or at the training centres for the fire-fighting professionals. This is where VR can revolutionize fire-training completely. Here are three main reasons why:
Cost-effective
With VR, one can simulate the real-world environment and create multiple fire-fighting scenarios. This way the trainees, professionals and employees can learn how to react to different situations. Doing this, significantly reduces the cost of creating a new infrastructure solely for training. With VR, all you need is a couple of VR headsets: PC or Standalone depending on the types of simulation and an existing classroom/lecture room to place the headsets and invite users to experience it. One of the biggest advantages of VR is that it enables remote collaboration. In a current pandemic situation, workers can learn from the comfort of their home without actually having to travel to the location.
Eco-friendly
Traditionally, training centres have been training professionals and beginners using theatrical smoke machines with artificial fire and live-fire training so that users can experience realistic heat conditions. However, there have been no studies to assess the impact of different fuels used for training purposes.
VR on other hand is an eco-friendly solution compared to the existing training methods. Considering the fact that we are seeing many countries across the globe participating in discourse related to climate change, it becomes a matter of pride to adapt to eco-friendly solutions that can have a positive impact on the environment and users.
Immersive Learning
VR unlike traditional learning materials such as videos, paper-based SOPs and images, provide experiential learning where learners learn by doing. A user is completely immersed in the virtual environment and doesn’t get distracted by the noises of the outside world, which makes the learning even more beneficial.
According to an American educator Edgar Dale, active learning takes place when a learner is experiencing a phenomenon or a simulation. VR enables contextual learning where the users can make meaning out of their own virtual experiences. It enables learners to recall information for a long time and perform real-life tasks more accurately and safely. Furthermore, experiential learning in VR motivates learners and enhances their confidence.
How Simulanis is using VR for fire-safety training?
Simulanis Fire-Safety VR consists of hardware and software applications. In the hardware, we provide a VR headset, an actual fire-extinguisher and a fire-heater for a multi-sensory experience. In the software, we have 4 different types of immersive module content, which are as follows:
Introduction to Fire
Learn the fundamentals of Fire, possible causes of Fire and how to prevent it.
Classification of Fire
Learn different types, classes and symbols of Fire.
Types of Fire Extinguishers
Learn about different types of Fire Extinguishers like Foam, CO2, Water and Dry Powder and when to use which extinguishers in fire-fighting situations.
How to use Fire extinguishers
Through our immersive and interactive module, learners can get hands-on experience by being in a realistic fire like situation, and learn how to: pull the safety pin on the extinguisher, aim the nozzle at the base, squeeze the level slowly to release the material and sweep it on the fire to extinguish it.
In order to collect workers performance in VR, Simulanis Analytics Suite can report learners Cognitive, Behavioural and Personality Traits.
If you are a fire training instructor or EHS manager looking for VR solution for fire-safety training, then you can reach out to us at support@simulanis.com
