Engaging the next generation of firefighters with immersive learning

Many Australian fire departments report having difficulty acquiring new recruits and volunteers. According to an article by ABC News, the Country Fire Authority (CFA) in Victoria has seen a sharp decrease in the number of volunteer firefighters over the last five years – a reduction of over 20%. This issue is not specific to Australia but confronts fire and rescue departments around the globe. Several volunteer fire departments in the US face an ageing workforce, according to the U.S. Fire Department Profile in 2022. These departments have also had trouble acquiring new recruits. This trend is raising concerns around public safety, urging the development of innovative strategies to interest and motivate the future generation of firefighters.One solution being adopted across many departments across the globe to entice new recruits is immersive learning. Immersive learning uses innovative technology to create realistic, engaging environments in which trainees can practice obtaining new skills. With lifelike environments that mirror actual fire emergencies, immersive learning provides an engaging experience that caters to the next generation of firefighters. By placing trainees in real-world situations, as per the Centre for Engaged Learning, it “enhances learning” and promotes improved skill retention. Immersive learning often incorporates virtual reality (VR) technology to enable trainees to enter a 360-degree simulated environment. In firefighter training, a VR simulation could mirror a specific firefighting event such as a kitchen fire or a wildfire. Another aspect of immersive learning includes the use of haptic technology, which offers tangible feedback that replicates real world experiences. In firefighter training, first responders procedural learning can be greatly improved through haptic interfaces, according to research by Calandra et al. (2022). Applying haptic-enhanced technology to a VR training scenario can create a more realistic and engaging training experience that encourages deeper learning and retention.

So how can immersive learning help solve the recruitment gap?

The significance of immersive learning for recruitment is becoming more evident. According to a PwC study, “40% of the v-learners saw an improvement in confidence compared to classroom learners and 35% improvement over e-learners to act on what they learned after training in VR”. Incorporating immersive learning into a firefighter training strategy is an effective solution for fire agencies struggling with recruitment. Departments can develop realistic and engaging training experiences that encourage and motivate new recruits, whilst preparing them for the demands of the job. Immersive learning is an effective strategy for building connections with the next generation, providing an interesting and interactive alternative to static presentations.

Recruitment is one of many reason that fire and rescue departments are embedding immersive learning into their training program. Providing a proven solution for improved retention, immersive learning is increasing the effectiveness of firefighter training. By enabling trainees to build muscle memory, acquire specific skills and generate risk-awareness, trainees (and new recruits) are better prepared for live fire training and real-life firefighting.

Want to learn more about immersive learning for firefighter training? Contact us at  info@flaimsystems.com today!