Developing a VR-based Training Platform for Emergency Fire Handling Services Using Unity 3D

The rising incidence of fires calls for advanced training methodologies that surpass the limitations of traditional firefighter training, both in scale and scope. Virtual Reality (VR) emerges as a potent solution, offering a wide range of realistic scenarios and cost-effective, safe training environments. This paper presents a novel VR-based training platform tailored for firefighters, which leverages Unity 3D and state-of-the-art fire simulation techniques to deliver high-fidelity experiences that closely mimic real-world dynamics. Trainees engage in an immersive VR setting where they experience full autonomy and multisensory feedback, heightening the educational impact through a procedural fire spreading mechanism that emulates actual fire behavior. Our system excels in providing a comprehensive framework, modular design for customizable scenarios, and integration of varied training modules to prepare trainees for an array of firefighting emergencies. Future work aims to enhance realism through advanced features such as Flashover and Backdraft simulation, real-time environmental controls for trainers, team-based exercises with human-agent interaction, etc. The paper concludes by emphasizing the platform’s alignment with the set design standards for VR-based firefighter training and outlines prospective user testing with professional firefighters to further refine the VR experience.