An NHS Foundation Trust in a major city in England’s West Midlands region has successfully completed a 6-week trial of the FLAIM Extinguisher fire safety solution.

The Trust, which looks after the management of both a women’s and children’s hospital, used the FLAIM Extinguisher as part of face-to-face fire safety training delivered in November and December 2022.

At the end of each session, learners were invited to complete an online survey.

Survey highlights:

• 100% Satisfaction with the immersive/VR learning experience
• 100% Training was more engaging and interesting
• 100% more confident to use a Fire Extinguisher
• 100% more likely to remember training

None of the learners who responded to the survey had previously used VR in any capacity, for work or leisure.

When asked if adding the FLAIM Extinguisher made their fire safety training more interesting and engaging than only PowerPoint or eLearning, all learners either agreed or strongly agreed.

Key takeway: Higher engagement of learners promotes learning and extends the retention of skills and knowledge taught. Engaged learners remember more and remember what they have been taught for longer.

When asked if they now were more confident to use a fire extinguisher effectively because of using the FLAIM Extinguisher, all learners either agreed or strongly agreed.

Key takeway: In the UK, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (fire safety legislation) states that all premises must be equipped with appropriate fire-fighting equipment where appropriate. Furthermore, it is a legal requirement that organisations ensure nominated staff are trained and confident to use fire-fighting equipment in the event of a fire.

When asked if it is more likely they will remember the fire safety training because they used the FLAIM Extinguisher, all learners agreed or strongly agreed.

Key takeway: Staff need proper and adequate fire safety training – it is essential that the skills and knowledge they have been taught is recalled and available at time moment of need, during the time of great stress when they will need it most.

Following the completion of the trial, the NHS Foundation Trust has now purchased the FLAIM Extinguisher solution to use as part of their fire safety training program across two major hospitals in the West Midlands.