Virtual Reality for Fire and Rescue Service professionals’ training

Abstract

The captivating realm of extended reality technology, encompassing Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR), has rapidly garnered attention within the realms of education and training. While these technologies have found widespread acceptance in domains like surgical training, their integration in other sectors, such as training for Fire and Rescue Services Personnel (FRSP), has been notably slow. This sluggish pace persists despite the several potential benefits expounded in the literature—ranging from cost-effective training to the provision of diverse, complex, and dynamic scenarios, all while providing uniform conditions for training and assessment. Moreover, the promise of safe, environmentally friendly, and remote training possibilities further adds to the values and solutions VR could provide for FRSP training needs.

Motivated by this landscape, the overarching aim of this doctoral project was to delve into the role and utilization of VR, and in the FRSP training context. This exploration unfolds through the design and development of tailored applications for practicebased training using VR technologies, probing the intricacies of implementation, and examining the practical use of VR within this context. The project is conducted in cooperation with several organizations in the FRSP field of practice: the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB), the Fire and Rescue Service Skaraborg (RS) (former Östra Skaraborg, ROS) in Sweden, and the fire service Corpo de Bombeiros da Policia Militar do Parana Federal (PF) in Brazil. Commercially available VR technologies, selected by the organizations, have been used to develop training scenarios and investigate the utilization of Virtual Simulation (VS), as a novel training format, within firefighter and incident commander training.

The quest for understanding the role of VR within FRSP training spans various dimensions, including its role in relation to existing training methodologies, the requisite technological adjustments for delivering optimal experiences, the alignment of technology with specific training goals, and the exploration of the role of these technologies in supporting trainers to assess trainee performance. Thereby, the doctoral project examines the practical use of VR within the FRSP training context, probing the intricacies of implementation.

The multifaceted nature of the research questions mirrors the complexity of the endeavor, rendering the journey to answer them equally intricate. Comprising five empirical studies conducted in authentic training environments, involving key stakeholders from FRSP organizations, this thesis weaves together empirical insights and theoretical reasoning. The goal is not just to unearth findings but to ground them in theory, providing comprehensive answers to the research questions, and fulfill the overarching aim.

The doctoral thesis is based on three published journal articles and three published scientific conference papers. The doctoral project has additionally disseminated in FRSP-related conferences presentations, publications and journal publicationsrelated conferences. This endeavor strives to contribute meaningfully to the evolving landscape of VR technologies in the crucial domain of FRSP training.