New immersive training system helps firefighters prepare for megafires in Australia

A new immersive training system called iFire has been developed to help firefighters prepare for increasingly severe megafires. This system allows them to virtually experience and rehearse responses to extreme fire scenarios, improving their preparedness. iFire uses advanced technology to simulate real fire situations, enabling crews to adjust conditions like temperature and wind direction. This interactive training aims to enhance decision-making skills under pressure, addressing the challenges posed by unpredictable fires. The system is currently installed at the Fire and Rescue NSW Emergency Services Academy in Sydney. Future plans include developing a more advanced AI system to create detailed simulations, which could also be adapted for training in other natural disasters.