Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin, City of Raleigh | City of Raleigh - Government
Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin, City of Raleigh | City of Raleigh - Government
The Raleigh Fire Department is incorporating new technology to enhance its operations and make fire safety training more accessible. The department's latest tools aim to better prepare firefighters and engage the community in safety practices.
Thermal-imaging cameras have been introduced to help identify "hot spots" in structures. Capt. Mitchell utilizes the FLIR K65 cameras, which are designed for challenging conditions and meet National Fire Protection Association standards. These cameras provide detailed thermal images that can penetrate smoke during fires and save up to 200 pictures or videos for later review. “This can help firefighters understand what's happening during and after a fire,” says Capt. Jeff Massey of the Raleigh Fire Department.
Additionally, the department has adopted virtual reality (VR) technology for fire extinguisher training. Residents can now learn how to use a fire extinguisher through Raleigh Fire's Flaim VR program, which includes a VR headset, a real fire extinguisher, and software simulating various fire scenarios. Participants can practice extinguishing fires in different settings such as homes, boats, construction sites, and racetracks.
"Our new VR system lets people learn how to handle emergencies such as house fires," states Fire Prevention Coordinator Lt. Lemuel Hubbard. "It looks and feels like real fires, with smoke and explosions, but it's safe to practice."
The benefits of VR training include cost-effectiveness, enhanced learner engagement and retention, versatility in training for various types of fires and extinguishers, accessibility regardless of weather conditions, repetitive learning opportunities with immediate restarts, elimination of health and environmental concerns associated with traditional methods, and an engaging experience akin to a real-life video game.
Organizations interested in fire safety training can contact the Raleigh Fire Department via email at fireprevention@raleighnc.gov or call 919-996-6392 for free training sessions.
“These new tools show how serious Raleigh Fire Department is about keeping us safe,” says Hubbard. “Your safety is what matters most to us.”
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