Introduction
Port Otago, the primary shipping port in the lower South Island of New Zealand, plays a vital role in regional logistics and trade. Ensuring fire safety across their operations is paramount, but traditional fire extinguisher training methods were falling short in delivering effective, engaging, and environmentally friendly results. Seeking innovation, Port Otago turned to FLAIM Workplace Safety – Fire (WSF) to revolutionize their fire safety training.
Problem
Port Otago’s previous fire safety training was limited and outdated. According to Chris Hawke, Safety and Training Advisor at Port Otago:
"Our previous fire training consisted of using a fire extinguisher on a metal drum fire, which provided a very limited training activity to assess knowledge of how to react to a fire."
The organization needed a solution that could deliver realistic training scenarios, reduce environmental impact, and improve knowledge retention and assessment.
Solution
Port Otago implemented FLAIM WSF in October 2023, leveraging its immersive VR platform to train employees in fire safety protocols. The system became a core component of their mandatory safety induction courses, ensuring every team member received hands-on, scenario-based training.
"The virtual reality scenarios allow more variety to challenge our workforce's understanding of fire suppression, and to assess the learner's decision-making competence depending on the scenario," Chris explained.
FLAIM WSF’s extensive library of fire scenarios enabled Port Otago to tailor training sessions to specific roles and equipment types. Trainers could observe learners in real-time and provide immediate feedback, enhancing engagement and comprehension.
Results
Since adopting FLAIM WSF, Port Otago has achieved measurable improvements in their fire safety training program:
- 50+ hours of training delivered
- 200+ trainees successfully trained
The system has also delivered operational efficiencies: "To assess task competence, the VR system requires less time and space to set up compared to our old mode of training. The clean-up is non-existent as there is no longer a need to clean up the dry chemical residue," Chris highlighted.
Conclusion
FLAIM WSF has proven to be an invaluable tool for Port Otago, offering realistic, engaging, and environmentally friendly fire safety training. Its flexibility and scalability ensure it meets the diverse needs of the workforce while reducing costs and logistical challenges.
Looking ahead, Chris envisions further collaboration with FLAIM:
"We would love to work alongside FLAIM’s technical team to create site-specific scenarios with the equipment that we use in our port organization."
Port Otago’s adoption of FLAIM Workplace Safety – Fire sets a benchmark for modern fire safety training, demonstrating the power of immersive technology in building safer, more prepared workplaces.