Where firefighters come to talk training

Simulation Training

Simulation training has come a long way from pushing sand around on an overhead projector. We purchased a product called Flame-Sim, that uses gaming technology to simulate the firefighting experience. It works pretty good, and we have really been able to see some good results in our ICS training and communications. In fact we started a study in conjunction with the University of Texas at Dallas, to study the effects of simulation training on naturalistic decision making. Of course simulation training can only take you so far. I don’t it will ever replace traditional training, but if you teach a command and control class, ICS, or strategy and tactics, this is a really good training tool. The most difficult thing so far has been trying to teach 40+ year olds how to use an X-Box controller.

The controls are really pretty simple and after a couple of scenarios everyone can control the simulation. We use the simulation in a multi-user environment, using enough students for a full first alarm response. The multi-user function allows the incident commander to see the firefighters on the roof, going in the house, pulling out victims, etc. It makes it realistic enough to be a really good training event for the incident commander and all of the participating students. For example, during one of the scenarios the incident commander could see from his screen a firefighter breaking all of the windows around the structure. During the critique, it was discovered that this firefighter thought he was supposed to break all of the windows. We are able to fix this behavior without discovering it on the fire ground.

If anyone would like more info on simulation training, contact me. Here is some video of us training using the simulator:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUa5BdHrPTY

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Permalink Reply by Jonathan Kaye on March 11, 2009 at 12:19pm

Dear Chief,

You can see from my background that I am very interested in simulation, and particularly quantifiable results. It'd be great to hear more about your experiences, both positive and negative.

To let everyone know, there are a bunch of good programs for simulation training, so I thought I'd post a link to ones I've collected so far:

click here to go to the list

If anyone knows of others, please post over there or let me know. There are also some relevant groups:

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Permalink Reply by Jonathan Boyd on March 11, 2009 at 2:41pm

Thanks for the list. I did not know there were so many companies involved. I have used the Digital Combustion in the past, and I actually recently bought their network interface. Do you have much experience with trying to create scenarios with multiple screens? I have created some, but found it cumbersome to try and have all sides of the building show the right flame/smoke.

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Permalink Reply by Jonathan Kaye on March 11, 2009 at 3:02pm

I think each system has strengths and weaknesses, so it's good to be familiar with what's out there and how it best fits a department and the resources that can be applied. That's why I started putting the list together.

I'm with CommandSim, so I'll refrain from commenting on Fire Studio. I think like our program, one has to match up the look of the smoke/fire on each side but I don't know what tools are available there to make that process easier.

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