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Use of Virtual Reality (VR) Technology in Incident Command System Training

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Use of Virtual Reality (VR) Technology in Incident Command System Training

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Disaster Preparedness and Response Institute (HKJCDPRI) has been using innovative technologies and applications in providing a variety of training for emergency personnel and professionals.

On 10 July and 6 November 2020, the HKJCDPRI and the Hong Kong Fire Services Department (HKFSD) have jointly organized an Incident Command System (ICS) training for a total of 58 officers of the HKFSD at the Fire and Ambulance Services Academy.

During the training, virtual reality (VR) technology in cooperation with the electronic ICS were used to simulate a major fire incident of an industrial building located in Wong Tai Sin. The fire incident was upgraded from No. 1 to No. 3 Alarm, the trainees had to play as the Incident Commanders to assess the evolving situations and deployed resources for firefighting and rescue operations.

Compared to table-top exercise in which the incident scenes cannot be visualized, the VR-based training provides an immersive experience for trainees to practise the skills in a safe and realistic environment. The high fidelity and interactive simulation have enriched the trainees’ training experience and allowed them to exercise effective communication and decision-making process.

A virtual reality scenario of an industrial building fire at Wong Tai Sin.

Use of virtual reality technology to simulate the situation inside the industrial building.

Trainees act as the Incident Commander to assess the situation and make decisions accordingly.