PANJIM: The Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services, in a fresh technological initiative, has conceptualised a Fire Safety Virtual Reality (VR) Simulator — an environmental friendly technique for training.
Director Ashok Menon said the initiative will enhance the quality of training among various groups of citizens.
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“The department has been very keen on utilising the technological advances in the field of Information Technology for optimising our services. As a part of it we have conceptualised a Fire Safety Virtual Reality Simulator as an environmental friendly simulator for training. It will be used as a tool for bettering the quality of training. The VR will ensure interest, participation and engagement among students and citizens,” Menon said during the Raising Day function held in the capital city, on Thursday.
The Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services also visualised another mobile simulation app covering disaster preparedness scenarios like flood and earthquake as well as impart general fire safety tips.
“The app will truly bring education to life in a fun, hands on and technologically advanced learning environment,” the Director said.
The event, which had Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly Rajesh Patnekar as its chief guest, is also celebrated as the Family Day.
To ensure interest, participation and engagement within students and the rural community, the Fire Safety VR Simulator will be deployed with the training state-of-the-art fire and safety education van, which has been operating successfully across panchayats and residential areas to educate the public on disaster preparedness and basic fire safety.
The training modules consist of various virtual fire safety scenarios such as, safety while cooking, fire safety for children, evacuation – rules of conduct when you hear a fire alarm and how to operate different types of First Aid Portable Fire Extinguisher, etc.
“Fire Extinguisher application along with HTC Vive’s VR headset, allows trainees to grasp and learn how to use a fire extinguisher through the PASS techniques. With this method, trainees can get hands-on approach experience by being in a realistic fire like situation, and learn how to: pull the safety pin on the extinguisher, aiming the nozzle at the base, squeezing the leaver slowly to release the extinguishing media and sweeping it on the base of the fire to extinguish it,” information shared by the department states, adding, “Trainees are presented with real-world emergency situations. Interactive systems provide an immersive learning experience featuring opportunities for critical thinking, physical activity, hazard recognition and safe practice.”
