RescueSim Simulators for Incident Command Training

 To train, develop and assess their personnel against national standards of operational, tactical and strategic incident command, the Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service has signed a long-term deal to use RescueSim incident management simulators at their training academy at Exeter Airport. The simulators were delivered and installed at the academy by developer VSTEP. 

The addition of RescueSim to the Devon & Somerset training centre will allow their incident command trainers to produce fully immersive scenarios based on their operational requirements. The Fire & Rescue Service expects to train 200 Level One and 60 Level Two officers with the RescueSim simulators during the first year.         

Devon & Somerset FRS is the statutory fire and rescue service covering the counties of Devon & Somerset in SW England.

It is the fifth largest fire and rescue service in the United Kingdom and the largest non-metropolitan fire and rescue service in the UK. The Fire & Rescue service has 85 fire stations, the second largest number in England and a dedicated staff of 2300.

Joe Hassell, Station Manager Devon & Somerset FRS: “Being a large, rural fire and rescue service has presented our training staff with real challenges when it comes to providing our Incident Commanders with challenging and realistic training. Firefighter and public safety is the Devon & Somerset FRS’s number 1 priority, and we believe RescueSim will assist us in achieving this aim. We are delighted to have signed a contract with VSTEP and have found their staff and trainers to be highly skilled, professional and attentive to our needs. We have started piloting RescueSim with our staff with excellent feedback and look forward to developing our ICS training for all levels of command in the future”.

Peter Walsh, VSTEP Business Development Manager UK: ”All FRSs are facing challenging times in the present financial climate. However, they cannot afford to deploy personnel who are not well trained and competent in role. FRSs have been very successful in their prevention activities and consequently the number of incidents has fallen significantly. This means reduced opportunity for personnel to develop command and leadership knowledge and skills. Devon & Somerset FRS are now developing their use of RescueSim to take full advantage of all the benefits that RescueSim has to offer. They are able to create any incident scenario to ensure their personnel are able to experience the whole range of incidents they may encounter. They can train, develop and assess their personnel against national standards, to ensure full competence in all command roles, ranging from Supervisory, through to Strategic; in a very efficient, effective manner that represents best value to the Service. ”

The RescueSim incident management simulators are currently used in over 20 countries worldwide and its customer base continues to increase as more emergency services and safety professionals recognise the positive effects virtual training has on their incident response effectiveness and as an enhancement to their practical training.

The Devon & Somerset Fire and Rescue Service are using the UK version of the RescueSim Simulator, which includes realistic UK Police, Ambulance and Highways Agency vehicles, appliances and personnel for realistic training of incidents.

More information about the Devon & Somerset FRS at www.dsfire.gov.uk