Training exercises are undergoing radical changes all over the world. Various companies tap both virtual and augmented reality solutions to enhance these sessions. The Raleigh Fire Department is the latest to jump on the VR bandwagon, as their new system offers immersive experience tot rain department personnel.
Raleigh Fire Department Embraces VR
It is not entirely surprising to see the Raleigh Fire Department embrace virtual reality-based immersive training exercises. The department has hinted at such a development for some time now. Venturing into the world of technology can offer many benefits which would remain off-limits otherwise. Enhancing training, teaching new skills, and saving money are all made possible with the help of their new VR training system.
This particular system is designed for emergency medical services personnel in general. Users are transported to a detailed environment where they need to dissect portions of the body. This will give them greater insights into the body parts in question. For the Raleigh Fire Department, it will help personnel determine the seriousness of any injuries they may come across during their career.
Raleigh Fire Department EMS Coordinator Jeffrey Stallings adds:
“It gets our recruits into an immersive environment, which most of them grew up playing video games. I grew up playing video games. So when you make education fun, you typically retain it better. It feels like you’re in there. They say two to three minutes in a virtual reality and you forget that you’re in there. And that’s what we’re going for.”
Compared to standard training exercises, a VR solution is much cheaper. It reduces costs by as much as 90% or more, depending on which skills need to be taught exactly. Additionally, it also allows training exercises to occur at any location, as long as the VR headset can be hooked up. The current goal is to expand the VR training to add fire truck training as well. When that will happen exactly, has not been announced.
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