A VR Multiplayer Application for Fire Fighting Training Simulations

The need to guarantee employees good training in the field of safety in workplaces, risk assessment, fire prevention and fire fighting, or management of dangerous situations is a priority in different sectors, from maritime, airport and military to schools, offices. The application of Virtual Reality (VR) technologies, as a substitute or complement to traditional teaching methods, is a relevant topic both for researchers and companies specialized in the organization of training courses. Here, we present a multiplayer immersive VR application for safety and fire prevention training, developed in collaboration with experts adopting a user-centered design approach. A preliminary usability test on 20 subjects showed promising results regarding the usability and the efficacy of the VR intervention but a low level of sense of presence, maybe due to the non-photo realistic graphic rendering or to the fact that participants were unfamiliar with the interaction methods and frequently asked questions disrupting the immersion. Feedback received will be used to modify and improve the application.